to accept?”
“Oh, I don’t say that; your excellency will do as you please; I should be sorry to advise you in the matter.”
Franz pondered the matter for a few moments, concluded that a man so rich could not have any intention of plundering him of what little he had, and seeing only the prospect of a good supper, accepted.
Gaetano departed with the reply. Franz was prudent, and wished to learn all he possibly could concerning his host. He turned towards the sailor, who, during this dialogue, had sat gravely plucking the partridges with the air of a man proud of his office, and asked him how these men had landed, as no vessel of any kind was visible.
“Never mind that,” returned the sailor, “I know their vessel.”
“Is it a very beautiful vessel?”
“I would