swered my question," said the Englishman. "I am here
to buy wines. I am above all anxious to take over to England some
thousand hectolitres of the famous Priorato of Montblanch, and any
other vintages that will suit the English market."

"But how on a hundred pounds can you expect to do so much?" asked the
Scot, with an unlooked-for exhibition of native caution.

"Oh, I have enough credit for anything that I may buy on account of the
firm. The hundred is my own private venture, and it struck me that with
your command of the language and my knowledge of business, we might be
able to ship some Spanish wines to the Thames on very favourable terms.
I should of course be glad to pay you the usual commission."

"Vintages and commissions and shipments are so much Greek to me," said
Rollo Blair; "but if I can do anything to lessen the weight of
obligement under which you have placed me, you can count on my services.
I am scarce such a fool as my tongue and temper make me out sometimes!
You are the only man alive I have tried to pick a quarrel with and
failed."

"I think we shall do very well together yet," said Mortimer; "the usual
commission is five per cent, on all transactions up to a hundred
pounds--above that, seven and a half."

"Damn you and your commissions, sir," cried Blair, hotly. "Did I not
tell you I would do my best, on the honour of a Scottish gentleman!"

"Very likely," returned the other, dryly; "but I have always found the
benefit of a clear and early understanding between partners."

They had been gradually ascending the narrow path which wound through
clumps of rosemary, broom, thyme, and bay-tree laurel to a sheltered
little plain, much of it occupied by enclosed gardens and the vast
white buildings of the monastery itself.

The moon, almost full but with a shaving off its right-hand side which
kept it a full hour late, shone behind the two adventurers as they stood
still a moment to take in the scene.

Pallid limestone pinnacles rose high into serene depths of indigo, in
which the stars twinkled according to their size and pre-eminence,
nearer and farther, gradually retiring into infinite space. In the
clefts high up were black tufts of trees, that seemed from below like so
many gooseberry bushes. A kind of three days' stubble of beard covered
the plain itself right up to the monastery wall, while here and there
was heard the continuous tinkle of many goat bells as the leaders
alternately strayed