"Selim Pasha and I are here," he said, "to ask what terms you will give us for our capitulation. For ourselves we offer the same as we offered before: safe transport--not such transport as was given to those at Navarin," and he looked at Poniropoulos--"to Asia Minor, and the retention of one-third of our property. It is now six months since the ships which were to transport us were spoken of. We imagine they must be ready." "It is six months ago since those proposals were made," said Kolocotrones, becoming suddenly business-like; "for six months longer has the siege and the expense of the siege been maintained. No, no, we must find something different to that. Moreover, the treasure in Nauplia is not the same as it was then." "But where has it gone," said Ali, "if not to the pockets of the Greeks?" "And from where did provisions come," asked Kolocotrones, "except from whither the treasure has gone?" Ali laughed. "Is there not a considerable balance?" he asked. Kolocotrones screwed up his eye in malevolent amusement. "I have not lately examined the accounts. But what if there is? The bargain was made; we gave provisions and received money. Well, you have made your proposals; in an hour's time you shall hear ours." Petrobey rose. "My quarters are close, gentlemen," he said; "may I give you lodging and refreshment there while we consult?" Ali and Selim accordingly withdrew, and Petrobey having conducted them to his quarters, where Yanni was charged with giving them food, returned to Kolocotrones's tent. Already high words were passing, not on the subject of the terms of the capitulations--for that seemed to be but a secondary matter in the minds at least of Kolocotrones and Poniropoulos--but as to how the booty should subsequently be divided. Kolocotrones was on his feet, stamping and thumping the table. "Who was appointed commander-in-chief by the council but I?" he cried. "It is I who will take possession of Nauplia; it is I who will receive and--and distribute the booty." Miaulis, who was seated, had hitherto taken no part in the discussion, but at this he spoke. "The distribution of Kolocotrones!" he said, blandly. "The Lord help us all!" This was disconcerting, for even Kolocotrones acknowledged the integrity and honesty of the young admiral, and could make no _tu-quoque_ rejoinder. "Then what do you propose?" he asked. "That those who have besieged Nauplia for all these months have some one to represent them in the division of the booty," he said, with that wonderful, frank manner of his. "We expect fair-play from General Kolocotrones; that is no reason why we should not see that we obtain it." Petrobey rose to his feet. That opportunity for which he had been waiting ever since Nikolas had given him the example at Tripoli was come.