They can sting , too ! ' `` What we saw last night was a trading-station , '' said Allo . `` Nothing but a trading-station . '' ' `` I do not like lies on an empty stomach , '' said Pertinax . `` I suppose '' -LRB- he had eyes like an eagle 's -RRB- -- `` I suppose that is a trading-station also ? '' He pointed to a smoke far off on a hill-top , ascending in what we call the Picts ' Call : -- Puff -- double-puff : double-puff -- puff ! They make it by raising and dropping a wet hide on a fire . ' `` No , '' said Allo , pushing the platter back into the bag . `` That is for you and me . Your fate is fixed . Come . '' ` We came . When one takes Heather , one must obey one 's Pict -- but that wretched smoke was twenty miles distant , well over on the East coast , and the day was as hot as a bath . ' `` Whatever happens , '' said Allo , while our ponies grunted along , `` I want you to remember me . '' ' `` I shall not forget , '' said Pertinax . `` You have cheated me out of my breakfast . '' `` What is a handful of crushed oats to a Roman ? '' he said . Then he laughed his laugh that was not a laugh . `` What would you do if you were a handful of oats being crushed between the upper and lower stones of a mill ? '' '
`` I 'm Pertinax , not a riddle-guesser , '' said XXXXX . '
Allo Heather Pertinax Pict Roman coast fire hill-top night trading-station