Remember that honorable signori will hear what you say; therefore, for your own credit, speak to the point; and speak nothing but truth, for the love of God." "Then, S'nore, first as to _where_ I saw her--does your eccellenza mean where I was at the time, or where the lugger was ?" "Where the lugger was, fellow.

Dost think Sir Kooffe cares where thou spent thy day!" "Well, then, eccellenza, the lugger was near the Island of Capri, on the side next the Mediterranean, which you know, S'nore, is on the side opposite to the bay and near, as might be, abreast of the house of Giacomo Alberti--does your eccellenza know anything of the house I mean ?" "Not I; but tell your story as if I knew all about it.

It is these particulars which give value to a tale.

How far from the nearest land?
Mention that fact, by all means, if you happen to remember." "Well, eccellenza, could the distance be measured, now I would think it would prove to be about as far--not quite, S'nore, but, I say, _about_--about as far as from the said Giacomo's largest fig-tree to the vines of Giovanni, his wife's cousin.

Si--I think, just about that distance." "And how far may that be, friend?
Be precise, as much may depend on your answers." "S'nore, that may be a trifle further than it is from the church to the top of the stairs that lead to Ana Capri." "Cospetto!--Thou wilt earn thy ducat speedily at this rate! Tell us at once in miles; was the lugger one, two, six, or twenty miles from your island at the time thou speak'st of ?" "Eccellenza, you bid me speak of the _time_, in the second place; after I had told you of the _where_, in the first place.