Because Mr. Harley made it his affectation to be boisterously frank and
friendly upon short acquaintance, Storri met no vexatious delays in
coming to an understanding with him. You are not to assume that Mr.
Harley was truthful because he was boisterous or his frankness went
freighted of no guile. It is commonest error to believe your frankest
talker, your greatest teller of truth; whereas, in a majority of
instances, the delusive garrulity is a mask or a feint, meant only to
cover facts and screen designs of which the victim's first notice is,
snap! when they pin him like a steel-trap. Still, Storri entertained no
risks when he broke into confidences with Mr. Harley. It was Mr. Harley
who listened and Storri who talked; besides, Storri, in any conflicting
tug of interest, could be as loquacious as Mr. Harley, and as false. It
was diamond cutting diamond and Greek meeting Greek. Only, since Storri
was a Count, and Mr. Harley one upon whom a title went not without
blinding effect, Storri had a fractional advantage.

Storri and Mr. Harley enjoyed several casual talks; that is, Mr. Harley
thought them casual, although every one was planned by Storri. In none
did Storri unpack his enterprises; these talks were feelers, and he was
studying Mr. Harley. Storri was gratified to find Mr. Harley, by native
trend, as rapacious and as much the gambler as himself. Also, he
observed the licking satisfaction wherewith Mr. Harley listened to every
noble reference; with that, Storri contrived--for his conversation--a
fashion of little personal Kingdom on the Caspian, tossed himself up a
castle, and entertained therein from time to time about half the royal
blood of Europe; all to the marvelous delight of Mr. Harley, whom Storri
never failed to wish had been a guest on those purple occasions.

At this seductive rate, it was no more than a matter of ten days before