'I am afraid not, my friend.' He turned to the Tartar leader again. 'You are a fool, Tocktamish,' he said calmly. 'As long as you keep me here I cannot get money at all. Do you suppose that we merchants put away thousands of ducats in strong boxes under our beds? If we did that, you would have broken into our houses long ago, to help yourselves!' 'What promise will you make, sir?' inquired the Tartar, beginning to waver. But half-a-dozen voices protested. 'No promises!' they cried. 'Let him send you for the money!' 'You hear them?' said Tocktamish. 'Yes,' answered Zeno, 'I hear them. Their nonsense will not change facts. If you had the souls of mice in your miserable bodies,' he continued, turning to the men with a contemptuous little laugh, 'you would come with me now and seize the palace. The gates are open, and the guards are all beastly drunk. There will be more than eight thousand ducats to divide there!' The men were silent; many shook their heads. 'The moment is passed,' answered the Tartar, speaking for them. 'The whole city is roused by this time.' 'We shall have so many more good men to help us, then,' Zeno said. 'Not that we need any one. A handful could do the work.' 'Send for the money!' cried the voice of the Greek again. 'I have told you that I have not got it,' Zeno answered. 'If you have nothing more sensible to say, go to your quarters and let me sleep.' 'Pleasant dreams!' jeered the Greek; and several men laughed. 'I hope my dreams will be pleasant, for I am extremely sleepy,' Zeno answered carelessly. 'If you cut my throat before I wake you will get nothing at all, not even my funeral expenses! Now good-night, and be off!' 'We had better leave him,' Tocktamish said, pushing the nearest men away. 'You will get nothing at present, and it is impossible to frighten him. But he cannot get out, as you know. It is for our own safety, sir,' he added, changing his tone as he addressed Zeno. 'We cannot let you out till the city is quiet again, but you shall lack nothing. There are two cloaks for you to sleep on and for covering yourself, and I will bring you food and drink, and anything you want, in the morning.'