fading twilight. He started swiftly in pursuit,
almost running across the bridge. After a hot and weary chase, he at
length gained so much on the object of his solicitude that he was as
near as he deemed it prudent to approach. He was now sure that the man
ahead of him was the Viscount Massetti.

Esperance paused a second to recover his breath; then he went on at a
slower pace. The pursued had not discovered the pursuit; he trudged
along steadily and sturdily, never once looking back. Thus the two men
crossed the Trastavere, and each in turn, emerging from a gate in the
wall of the Leonine City, passed out into the marshy country beyond.
They had not gone very far, when Esperance saw Giovanni suddenly give a
start; at the same time he heard a loud, harsh voice cry out:

"In the name of Luigi Vampa, halt!"

Straining his eyes, Esperance finally succeeded in piercing the
semi-darkness of the surroundings, and perceived a gigantic ruffian, who
wore a black mask, standing in the centre of the road and presenting a
pistol at the head of the man he had every reason to believe was
Giovanni Massetti.

CHAPTER VI.

THE POWER OF A NAME.

The young Viscount, for it was, indeed, he whom the gigantic masked
brigand had halted, was staggered for an instant by this unlooked for
interruption of his journey in pursuit of the beautiful flower-girl. He
gazed at the huge ruffian in front of him first in bewilderment and then
in anger. The robber calmly continued to cover him with his pistol; as
Giovanni made a movement with his hand towards a stiletto he wore at the
belt of his peasant's dress, the man's quick eye detected his intention
and he exclaimed, in a rough tone of command:

"Touch that stiletto and I will blow your brains out!"

The Viscount dropped his hand; he was as brave as a lion, but the bandit
had the advantage of him and, courageous as he was, he instantly
recognized the folly of disregarding his warning. His rage and
indignation, however, were too great for him to control. He cried to his
stalwart adversary:

"Why do you stop a poor peasant from whom you can obtain nothing?"

"You are not a poor peasant, signor!"

"I am not, eh? Well, search me and see!"

"You are neither a poor peasant, signor, nor any peasant at all! I have
seen you too often in Rome to be deceived by the flimsy disguise you
wear so unnaturally! I know you! You are the Viscount Giovanni
Massetti!"

"Well, what if I am?" retorte