have Francisco locked up until the inquisition has dealt with
the countess, her lover, the Marquis of Orsini, and the Francatellis,
aunt and niece.' 'Then you have a spite against this man,' said
Lomellino. 'Truly have I,' responded Antonio. 'You remember that night
when you, with Stephano Verrina and Piero, got into the Riverola Palace
some months ago? Well, I don't know who discovered the plot, but I was
locked in my room, and next morning young Francisco dismissed me in a
way that made me his mortal enemy: and I must have vengeance. For this
purpose I have urged on the count to cause Flora Francatelli, whom
Francisco loves and wishes to marry, to be included in the proceedings
taken by the inquisition at his lordship's instigation against the
Countess Giulia and the Marquis d'Orsini; and the old aunt must
necessarily be thrown in, into the bargain, for harboring sacrilegious
persons.' 'And so young Francisco is to lose his mistress, Flora, and be
kept a prisoner in the cavern till he has been condemned along with the
others?' said Lomellino. 'Neither more nor less than what you imagine,
and I only wish I had the Lady Nisida also in my power, for I have no
doubt she instigated her brother to turn me off suddenly like a common
thief, because from all you have since told me, Lomellino, I dare swear
it was she who got an inkling of our intentions to plunder the Riverola
Palace; though how she could have done so, being deaf and dumb, passes
my understanding.' 'Well, well,' growled Lomellino, 'it is no use to
waste time talking of the past: let us only think of the present. Come,
my men, we will go on first, as already agreed.' Three or four armed
ruffians then put themselves in motion, passing close by the place where
I was concealed, but fortunately without discovering my presence."

"Oh! those miscreants would have assuredly murdered you, my faithful
Demetrius," said the grand vizier.

"Of that, my lord, there is little doubt," returned the young Greek;
"and I must confess that I shuddered more than once while listening to
the discourse of the cold-blooded monsters. But Venturo and Antonio
still remained behind for a few minutes, and the discourse which took
place between them, gave me a still further insight into the characters
of the gang. 'Well, Venturo,' said Antonio, after a short pause, 'have
you examined the packet which was intrusted to you?' 'I have, and the
contents are written in Greek or Arabic, or some suc