“An Englishman, I suppose?” asked he, turning hastily round. “And of English parents?” “Yes,” was my reply, for I determined on brevity wherever possible. “What brought you into this scrape?--I mean, why did you come here at all?” “I was travelling.” “Travelling? Stuff and nonsense! Why should fellows like you travel? What's your rank in life?” “A gentleman.” “Ah! but whose gentleman, my worthy friend? Ain't you a flunkey? There, it's out! I say, have you got a match to light my cigar? Thanks,--all right. Look here, now,--don't let us be beating about the bush all the day,--I believe this government is just as sick of you as you are of them. You 've been here two months, ain't it so?” “Ten months and upwards.” “Well, ten months. And you want to get away?” I made no answer; indeed, his free-and-easy manner so disconcerted me that I could not speak, and he went on,-- “I suspect they have n't got much against you, or that they don't care about it; and, besides, they are civil to us just now. At all events, it can be done,--you understand?--it can be done.” “Indeed,” said I, half superciliously. “Yes,” resumed he, “I think so; not but you'd have managed better in leaving the thing to _us_, That stupid notion you all have of writing letters to newspapers and getting some troublesome fellow to ask questions in the House, that's what spoils everything! How can _we_ negotiate when the whole story is in the 'Times' or the 'Daily News'?” “I opine, sir, that you are ascribing to me an activity and energy I have no claim to.” “Well, if you did n't write those letters, somebody else did. I don't care a rush for the difference. You see, here's how the matter stands. This Mr. Brigges, or Rigges, has gone off, and does n't care to prosecute, and all his allegations against you fall to the ground. Well, these people fancy they could carry on the thing themselves, you understand; we think not. They say they have got a strong case; perhaps they have; but we ask, 'What's the use of it? Sending the poor beggar to Spielberg won't save you, will it?' And so we put it to them this way: 'Draw stakes, let him off, and both can cry quits.' There, give me another light Isn't that the common-sense view of it?” “I scarcely dare to say that I understand you aright.” “Oh, I can guess why. I have had dealings with fellows of your sort before. You don't fancy my not alluding to compensation, eh? You want to hear about the money part of the matter?” And he laughed aloud; but whether at _my_ mercenary spirit or _his own_ shrewdness in detecting it, I do not really know. “Well, I'm afraid,” continued he, “you'll be disappointed there. These Austrians are hard up; besides, they never do pay. It's against their system, and so we never ask them.” “Would it be too much, sir, to ask why I have been imprisoned?”