"My name is Charalambos Aristarchi, and I desire the honour of speaking with Messer Angelo about the purchase of several cargoes of glass for the King of Sicily." "I will deliver your message, sir," said Zorzi.

"Pray wait a minute, I will open the door." Aristarchi's big head disappeared at last.
"Yes!" growled the porter to Zorzi.

"Open the door yourself, and take the blame.

The man has the face of a Turkish pirate, and his voice is like the bellowing of several bulls." Zorzi unbarred the door, which opened inward, and Aristarchi turned a little sideways in order to enter, for his shoulders would have touched the two door-posts.

The slight and gracefully built Dalmatian looked at him with some curiosity, standing aside to let him pass, before barring the door again.