is as cold-blooded
a blackguard as the worst of the emperors, but I have often thought he
had a lot in common with Tiberius. He had the great high sensual Roman
nose, eyes that were sinks of iniquity in themselves, and that swelled
with fat-ness, like the rest of him, so that he wheezed if he walked a
yard; otherwise rather a fine beast to look at, with a huge gray
moustache, like a flying gull, and the most courteous manners even to
his men; but one of the worst, Bunny, one of the worst that ever was.
It was said that the vineyard was only his hobby; if so, he did his
best to make his hobby pay. He used to come out from Naples for the
week-ends--in the tub when it wasn't too rough for his nerves--and he
didn't always come alone. His very name sounded unhealthy--Corbucci.
I suppose I ought to add that he was a Count, though Counts are
two-a-penny in Naples, and in season all the year round.

"He had a little English, and liked to air it upon me, much to my
disgust; if I could not hope to conceal my nationality as yet, I at
least did not want to have it advertised; and the swine had English
friends. When he heard that I was bathing in November, when the bay is
still as warm as new milk, he would shake his wicked old head and say,
'You are very audashuss--you are very audashuss!' and put on no end of
side before his Italians. By God, he had pitched upon the right word
unawares, and I let him know it in the end!

"But that bathing, Bunny; it was absolutely the best I ever had
anywhere. I said just now the water was like wine; in my own mind I
used to call it blue champagne, and was rather annoyed that I had no
one to admire the phrase. Otherwise I assure you that I missed my own
particular kind very little indeed, though I often wished that YOU were
there, old chap; particularly when I went for my lonesome swim; first
thing in the morning, when the Bay was all rose-leaves, and last thing
at night, when your body caught phosphorescent fire! Ah, yes, it was a
good enough life for a change; a perfect paradise to lie low in;
another Eden until ...

"My poor Eve!"

And he fetched a sigh that took away his words; then his jaws snapped
together, and his eyes spoke terribly while he conquered his emotion.
I pen the last word advisedly. I fancy it is one which I have never
used before in writing of A. J. Raffles, for I cannot at the moment
recall any other occasion upon which its use would have been justified.
O