“Upon my word, sir, your insolence is unbounded,” said Roylands, sitting upright in his indignation. “I am going to make a tour of the Greek islands, yet you talk as if I were coming on a visit to you—being decoyed, as it were, into a robber’s cave. I don’t care two straws about your ‘no harm is intended,’ and you may be certain if there is any trouble it will be for you, not for me. Really,” continued Maurice, laughing at the comicality of the situation, “one would think we lived in the days of filibusters and buccaneers the way you talk.” Caliphronas was not put out in the least by this speech, and, leaning back in his chair, looked at Maurice with a lazy smile. “There is no pleasure without an element of danger,” he said coolly, placing his hands behind his head, “and you may have adventures before you leave Melnos.” Struck by the significance of his tone, Maurice looked keenly at him, and then turned to Crispin with a puzzled air. “My dear fellow, will you explain this riddle?” “There is nothing to explain,” said Crispin, with a yawn; “you know the way Caliphronas exaggerates. I suppose he wants to make out that Melnos is a barbaric place, and that this cruise partakes of the nature of a journey into Darkest Africa.” “I have heard more nonsense to-night than I ever heard before in my life,” said Maurice, still ruffled. “Pseudo-counts, patriarchal knights, islands of fantasy, hintings of dangers. It is like a novel of adventure.” Caliphronas laughed, but said nothing, while Crispin knocked the ashes out of his pipe and refilled it finally for a last smoke before turning in. “I suppose you are very shocked at Creespeen’s flattering description of me,” remarked the Count calmly. “Hm! I hardly know. You are a picturesque scamp, but only a scamp for all that.” “This candor is delightful.” “Caliphronas,” observed Crispin, settling himself into a more comfortable attitude, “is a gentleman who believes that Number One is the greatest number.” “Every one in the world does that, my dear Creespeen.” “Probably, but they don’t show it so openly as you do.” “Hypocrites!” “I dare say, but a certain amount of hypocrisy is necessary in this world of shams.” Maurice looked at Count Constantine with an amused smile. “Caliphronas, you are a most unique person, and I would like to know your views of life.” “Make money honestly if you can—but make money.” “I thought you were a child of Nature, who cared nothing for money.” “You are right in one way, Mr. Maurice. For money as money I care nothing, but I like luxuries which only money can buy, and therefore desire money.” “Epigrammatic, decidedly! but your free, open-air life—your love of mountains, waves, winds, skies?” “Certainly I love all those things very much. Still, I go to Athens sometimes for amusement, and amusement requires money.” “You are certainly candid.” “I am; when I have nothing to gain, I am always candid.” “And you have nothing to gain now?”