“With the help of God!” said Crispin, resolved not to gratify the Greek’s curiosity. “Ah, He helps the sinner as well as the saint; for you see I also am alive and well.” “You deserved death for your treachery!” The mocking laughter of the Count rang through the darkness. “Neither virtue nor vice is rewarded in every case! I see you are safe, and the poor good captain is dead.” “He is; and you are to blame.” “No doubt I will survive that accusation. Well, you have lost your beautiful ship, Crispin.” “It’s my loss, not yours.” “Hark to this philosopher! Ha! how can you leave this island again?” “What! does Justinian intend to keep us prisoners?” “Justinian will do what he thinks fit,” replied Caliphronas significantly. “You are both rich, and can pay large ransoms.” “You scoundrel, you have been putting these brigand ideas into the old man’s head.” Caliphronas laughed disagreeably. “Perhaps I have. At all events, if you escape Justinian, you won’t get away so easily from Alcibiades.” “You forget six sailors still survive,” said Maurice sternly, “and we are three, so I think nine Englishmen can hold their own against a hundred cowards like yourself.” The Count made a clutch at his pistol, and muttered an execration, but, thinking better of it, recovered his temper, and burst out laughing. “Well, well, we will see! I regret, Mr. Maurice, I did not bring a torch for this darkness, but you see I know this passage well, and do not require it. Had I known you three were coming, I would have brought men, torches, food, wine, and all the rest of it, to make you comfortable.” “Thank you for your hospitality,” retorted Maurice angrily, for the mocking tone of this scamp was intolerable; “but ‘_Timeo Danaos_.’” “I don’t understand Latin,” said Caliphronas coldly; “but I’ve no doubt you’ve said something uncomplimentary. However, we need not wrangle any more, for here we are at the gate of Melnos.” The gate was a huge structure of wood, formed by interlacing beams into a kind of barred defence, which completely closed up the tunnel, and in the centre of this was a small heavy iron door. Through the interstices they could see the faint glimmer of daylight, a still ascending staircase, the red flare of burning torches, and in the doubtful lights three or four men moving about. “This is to guard against people like my friend Alcibiades,” said Caliphronas, seeing the amazement of Maurice and Gurt at this mediæval entrance. “Like the Pass of Thermopylæ, this tunnel could be defended by four against many, so Melnos is thus a city of refuge.” “Ay, if treachery does not gain an entrance,” retorted Crispin significantly; “and that is always possible when there is a traitor within the walls.”