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           Butwhatshockedmemorethananysignsofphysicalweaknesswasthathisfacewasgrotesquelycriss-crossedwithsticking-plaster,andthatonelargepadofitwasfastenedoverhismouth.

           "‘Haveyoutheslate,Harold?"criedtheolderman,asthisstrangebeingfellratherthansatdownintoachair.‘Arehishandsloose?Now,then,givehimthepencil.Youaretoaskthequestions,Mr.Melas,andhewillwritetheanswers.Askhimfirstofallwhetherheispreparedtosignthepapers?"

           "Theman’seyesflashedfire.

           "‘Never!"hewroteinGreekupontheslate.

           "‘Onnoconditions?"Iaskedatthebiddingofourtyrant.

           "‘OnlyifIseehermarriedinmypresencebyaGreekpriestwhomIknow.’

           "Themangiggledinhisvenomousway.

           "‘Youknowwhatawaitsyou,then?’

           "‘Icarenothingformyself.’

           "Thesearesamplesofthequestionsandanswerswhichmadeupourstrangehalf-spoken,half-writtenconversation.AgainandagainIhadtoaskhimwhetherhewouldgiveinandsignthedocuments.AgainandagainIhadthesameindignantreply.Butsoonahappythoughtcametome.Itooktoaddingonlittlesentencesofmyowntoeachquestion,innocentonesatfirst,totestwhethereitherofourcompanionsknewanythingofthematter,andthen,asIfoundthattheyshowednosignIplayedamoredangerousgame.