nipodio
The old general is still young enough to employ me as a spy upon the
Brancadori, while she pays me for her liberty; and--you can understand
the joyous life I lead by making no mischief!

Quinola
Now you want to know all, Old Curiosity, in order to place your thumb
upon the throat of opportunity! (Monipodio nods assent.) Is Lothundiaz
still alive?

Monipodio
Yonder is his house, and this palace belongs to him; always grasping
more and more property.

Quinola
I had hoped to find the heiress her own mistress. My master is ruined!

Monipodio
You bring back a master with you?

Quinola
One who will bring me mines of gold.

Monipodio
Could not I enter his service?

Quinola
I am counting very much upon your co-operation here. Listen,
Monipodio; we are going to change the face of the earth. My master has
promised the king to make one of his finest vessels move through the
water, without sails or oars, in the wind's eyes, more swiftly than
the wind itself.

Monipodio (examining Quinola as he walks round him)
Something has changed my friend.

Quinola
Monipodio, please to remember that men like us must not be astonished
at anything. Leave that to smaller people. The king has given us the
ship, but without a doubloon to go and get her. We arrived here,
therefore, with those two faithful companions of genius, hunger and
thirst. A poor man who discovers a valuable idea has always seemed to
me like a crumb of bread in a fish-pond; every fish takes a bite at
him. We are likely to reach the goal of glory naked and dying.

Monipodio
You are probably right.

Quinola
One morning at Valladolid, my master was within an ace of divulging
his secret to a philosopher who knew nothing of it. I warrant you, I
showed that gentleman the door, with a dose of cudgel given with a
good will.

Monipodio
But how is it possible for us to gain a fortune honestly?

Quinola
My master is in love. Now love forces a man to do as many foolish
things as wise things. We two have first of all to protect our
protector. My master is a philosopher who cannot keep accounts--

Monipodio
Oh! my dear fellow, in choosing a master, you ought to have selected
one--

Quinola
Devotion and address count more with him than money; for money and
favor to him are mere snares. I know him well; he will either give us
or permit us to take enough to end our days in respectability.

Monipodio
Ah! that is what I have dreamed of.

Quinola
We mus