But my people will expect something.

Let the plaguy fellow who caused all this disturbance be given up to me, that I may hang him; and let us cry quits." "That is impossible!" I answered coolly.

I had no need to ask what he meant.

Give up Pavannes' messenger indeed! Never! He regarded me--unmoved by my refusal--with a smile under which I chafed, while I was impotent to resent it.

"Do not build too much on a single blow, young gentleman," he said, shaking his head waggishly.