gh the fact of their being so did not deter
them from searching the brig thoroughly. Disappointed in their
expectations, they questioned all on board, including myself, but were
of course unable to obtain any satisfactory replies. Fortunately they
accepted my costume as a sign of my trade, and though they glanced
curiously at my white hair, they seemed to think there was nothing
suspicious about me. After a few more effusive compliments and
civilities on the part of the captain, they took their departure,
completely baffled, and quite convinced that the information they had
received had been somehow incorrect. As soon as they were out of sight,
the merry Andrea capered on his deck like a child in a play-ground, and
snapped his fingers defiantly.

"Per Bacco!" he cried, ecstatically, "they should as soon make a priest
tell confessional secrets, as force me, honest Andrea Luziani, to
betray a man who has given me good cigars! Let them run back to Gaeta
and hunt in every hole and corner! Carmelo may rest comfortably in the
Montemaggiore without the shadow of a gendarme to disturb him! Ah,
signor!" for I had advanced to bid him farewell--"I am truly sorry to
part company with you! You do not blame me for helping away a poor
devil who trusts me?"

"Not I!" I answered him heartily. "On the contrary, I would there were
more like you. Addio I and with this," here I gave him the
passage-money we had agreed upon, "accept my thanks. I shall not forget
your kindness; if you ever need a friend, send to me."

"But," he said, with a naive mingling of curiosity and timidity, "how
can I do that if the signor does not tell me his name?"

I had thought of this during the past night. I knew it would be
necessary to take a different name, and I had resolved on adopting that
of a school-friend, a boy to whom I had been profoundly attached in my
earliest youth, and who had been drowned before my eyes while bathing
in the Venetian Lido. So I answered Andrea's question at once and
without effort.

"Ask for the Count Cesare Oliva," I said. "I shall return to Naples
shortly, and should you seek me, you will find me there."

The Sicilian doffed his cap and saluted me profoundly.

"I guessed well," he remarked, smilingly, "that the Signor Conte's
hands were not those of a coral-fisher. Oh, yes! I know a gentleman
when I see him--though we Sicilians say we are all gentlemen. It is a
good boast, but alas! not always true! A rivederci, signor!