Our conversation went from one subject to another, but no allusion was made to the mercury, though I could see that the Greek had something on his mind.

At supper he told me, jestingly, that I ought to stop in Portici the next day to make forty-five carlini out of the three other flagons of mercury.

I answered gravely that I did not want the money, and that I had augmented the first flagon only for the sake of procuring him an agreeable surprise.
"But," said he, "you must be very wealthy." "No, I am not, because I am in search of the secret of the augmentation of gold, and it is a very expensive study for us." "How many are there in your company ?" "Only my uncle and myself." "What do you want to augment gold for?
The augmentation of mercury ought to be enough for you.

Pray, tell me whether the mercury augmented by you to-day is again susceptible of a similar increase." "No, if it were so, it would be an immense source of wealth for us." "I am much pleased with your sincerity." Supper over I paid my bill, and asked the landlord to get me a carriage and pair of horses to take me to Salerno early the next morning.

I thanked the Greek for his delicious muscatel wine, and, requesting his address in Naples, I assured him that he would see me within a fortnight, as I was determined to secure a cask of his Cerigo.
We embraced each other, and I retired to bed well pleased with my day's work, and in no way astonished at the Greek's not offering to purchase my secret, for I was certain that he would not sleep for anxiety, and that I should see him early in the morning.