deadly weapons with which you intend filling the carriage?”
“Not out of my armory, for at Terracina I was plundered even of my hunting-knife. And you?”
“I shared the same fate at Aquapendente.”
“Do you know, Signor Pastrini,” said Albert, lighting a second cigar at the first, “that this practice is very convenient for bandits, and that it seems to be due to an arrangement of their own.”
Doubtless Signor Pastrini found this pleasantry compromising, for he only answered half the question, and then he spoke to Franz, as the only one likely to listen with attention.
“Your excellency knows that it is not customary to defend yourself when attacked by bandits.”
“What!” cried Albert, whose courage revolted at the idea of being plundered tamely, “not make any resistance!”
“No, for it would be useless. What could you do against a dozen