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"
"And the charming Monsieur Saupiquet, how is he?" I asked.
He drew out his gilt-embossed pocket-book, and from it extracted an
envelope.
"This," said he, handing it to me, "is the receipt. I have to thank you
again for regulating the debt, as it has enabled me to transact with
Monsieur Saupiquet the business on which I summoned him from Toulon. He
is the most obstinate, pig-headed camel that ever lived, and I believe
he has returned to Toulon in the best of health. No, thank you," he
added, refusing my offer of cigarettes, "I don't smoke. It disturbs
the perfect adjustment of my nerves, and so imperils my gigantic
combinations. It is also distasteful to my cats."
"You must miss them greatly," said I.
He sighed--then his face lit up with inspiration.
"Ah, signor! What would one not sacrifice for an idea, for duty, for
honour, for the happiness of those we love?"
"Those are sentiments, Monsieur Papadopoulos," I remarked, "which do you
infinite credit."
"And, therefore, I express them, sir," he replied, "to show you what
manner of man I am.


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