At first I was furious at your having
spoiled the best plan I ever laid and the most brilliant chance I ever
had, at your preventing me from making the biggest haul of booty I ever
had hopes of. But, as years passed, my resentment has abated and my
admiration has warmed. I bear you no grudge. I have often thought I should
like to meet you and find out why on earth you desired to thwart me and
how you managed to do it. Go on! Tell me the rest."
I resumed my tale.
When I came to my outlook from the crag and explained my former
acquaintance with Vedia he interrupted.
"Of course, if you knew the lady and she was an old flame of yours, I
don't wonder that you intervened to save her. My lads were so rough and
fierce-looking that they had a worse reputation than they deserved. When
they captured prisoners rich enough to pay any profitable ransom they
treated them with the most scrupulous deference. Business is business and
we were not brigands for fun, but for profit. Also they all dreaded me and
my orders were explicit and emphatic. Your sweetheart would have been as
respected with them as in her own home. But, of course, you couldn't feel
that way. Go on with your story."
I demurred, asserting that I felt sleepy.
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