who had, so he said, borrowed money of him when they were poor together, and had thrown him over now without repaying him. 'It comes to this,' he said, after a long and rambling discursion on his wrong; 'when I was the only man in Naples who could speak English and would have to do with him, he used me; and now that he is at home here, and can speak the language, and has plenty of money, he will have no more to do.' 'My good friend,' I said, breaking in, 'I will have no more to do, since you prefer to put it so, I am tired of you. I do not desire to know you. Oblige me by not knowing me in future.' 'Maledizione!' he said. 'But you are impolite, Signor Calvotti.' 'And you, Signor Fornajo, are only unbearable. I have the pleasure to wish you goodbye.' He rose and retreated, but returned. 'Signor Calvotti,' he said, reseating himself, 'I shall ask you to do me a favour. You know Grammont and you know his friends. He will listen to you where he will not look at me. Will you do me the favour to speak for me to ask him to pay me?' I thought I saw a way to be rid of him. 'How much does he owe you?' I asked him. 'Cento franchi,' he answered. 'Very good. Bring me pen, ink, and paper.' He called one of the camerieri and ordered these, and I read quietly until they came. 'Now,' I said, 'write to my dictation.' He took the pen and wrote-- 'I have this day informed Signor Calvotti that Mr. Charles Grammont owes me the sum of One Hundred Francs, and in consideration of this receipt Signor Calvotti has discharged Mr. Grammont's debt.' This he signed, and I gave him a bank-note for the amount. 'Now,' I told him, 'I do not in the least believe that Mr. Grammont owed you anything, and if you come near me again I will use this document. I have a great mind to try it now.' 'Ah, signor, sapete cosa vuol dire la fame?' I own that touched me. I _have_ known what hunger is, and I could guess what it would do with a creature of this kind. 'Go your way,' I said, 'and trouble me no more'--he bowed his head and spread out his hands in assent--'but remember!' 'Signor Calvotti,' he said, 'I thank you, and I will trouble you no more.'