e the old
career; who knows but I may make the two hundred thousand three or
four?--there is already a surplus, which is an encouragement; however, we
will consider the matter over a goblet of wine; I have observed of late
that you have become partial to my Cyprus.'

And it came to pass that, as we were seated over the Cyprus wine, we
heard a knock at the door. 'Adelante!' cried the Armenian; whereupon the
door opened, and in walked a somewhat extraordinary figure--a man in a
long loose tunic of a stuff striped with black and yellow; breeches of
plush velvet, silk stockings, and shoes with silver buckles. On his head
he wore a high-peaked hat; he was tall, had a hooked nose, and in age was
about fifty.

'Welcome, Rabbi Manasseh,' said the Armenian. 'I know your knock--you
are welcome; sit down.'

'I am welcome,' said Manasseh, sitting down; 'he--he--he! you know my
knock--I bring you money--_bueno_!'

There was something very peculiar in the sound of that bueno--I never
forgot it.

Thereupon a conversation ensued between Rabbi Manasseh and the Armenian,
in a language which I knew to be Spanish, though a peculiar dialect. It
related to a mercantile transaction. The Rabbi sighed heavily as he
delivered to the other a considerable sum of money.

'It is right,' said the Armenian, handing a receipt. 'It is right; and I
am quite satisfied.'

'You are satisfied--you have taken money. _Bueno_, I have nothing to say
against your being satisfied.'

'Come, Rabbi,' said the Armenian, 'do not despond; it may be your turn
next to take money; in the meantime, can't you be persuaded to taste my
Cyprus?'

'He--he--he! senor, you know I do not love wine. I love Noah when he is
himself; but, as Janus, I love him not. But you are merry; _bueno_, you
have a right to be so.'

'Excuse me,' said I; 'but does Noah ever appear as Janus?'

'He--he--he!' said the Rabbi, 'he only appeared as Janus once--una vez
quando estuvo borracho; which means--'

'I understand,' said I; 'when he was . . .' and I drew the side of my
right hand sharply across my left wrist.

'Are you one of our people?' said the Rabbi.

'No,' said I, 'I am one of the Goyim; but I am only half enlightened. Why
should Noah be Janus when he was in that state?'

'He--he--he! you must know that in Lasan akhades wine is janin.'

'In Armenian, kini,' said I; 'in Welsh, gwin; Latin, vinum; but do you
think that Janus and janin are one?'

'Do I think? Don