One of the King's officers served us. It was the hideous Corfuan, the man of the gold ring, who knew English. He cut the bread with his poniard and distributed it freely, praying us not to lack for anything. Mrs. Simons, without losing one stroke of her teeth, said to him in a haughty tone: "Monsieur, does your master seriously believe that we shall pay a ransom of a hundred thousand francs?" "He is sure of it!" "It is because he does not know the English nation." "He knows it well, Madame, and I also. At Corfu, I have associated with many distinguished Englishmen! judges!" "I wish you joy of it! but tell this Stavros to arm himself with patience, because he will wait a long time for the hundred thousand francs, which he has promised himself." "He told me to tell you that he would wait for them until the 15th of May, at noon, precisely." "And if we have not paid it the 15th of May, at noon?" "He will regret that he will be obliged to cut off your head, as well as Mademoiselle's." Mary-Ann dropped the bread which she was carrying to her mouth. "Give me a little wine," she said. The bandit handed to her a cup full; but scarcely had it touched her lips, before she cried out with fear. The poor child imagined that the wine was poisoned. I reassured her by emptying the cup at one draught. "Fear nothing," I said to her; "it is the resin." "What resin?" "Wine would not keep in these goat-skins if a certain amount of resin was not added, to prevent it from spoiling. The mixture is not very agreeable, but you may drink it without fear." Despite my example, Mary-Ann and her mother made the bandit bring water. The man ran to the brook and was back in an instant. "You understand, Mesdames," he smilingly said, "that the King would not be foolish enough to poison such valuable people as you are." He added, turning to me: "You, M. le docteur, I have orders to tell you that you have thirty days to pursue your studies and pay the sum. I will furnish you all with writing materials." "Thanks," Mrs. Simons said. "We will think of it in eight days, if we are not delivered before." "And by whom, Madame?" "By England." "Is it far?" "Or by the police." "For your sake, I hope you may have that luck. In the meantime, I will do anything in my power for you." "I wish first for a bed-chamber." "We have near here a grotto, which is called Les Etables. You would not like it; the sheep were kept there during the winter, and the odor still remains. I will get two tents from the shepherds below and you can camp here--until the arrival--of the gendarmes!" "I wish for a waiting-maid." "Nothing is easier. Our men will go down to the plain, and stop the first peasant-woman who passes,--if, however, the gendarmerie will permit!" "I must have clothes, dresses, linen, toilet appurtenances, soap, a mirror, combs, scents, a tapestry frame, a----"