came in here looking like a pickpocket, and I go out like a
stage bandit."

"I declare, it becomes you wonderfully. I 'll wager the girls will not
let you wear any other dress."

"Ay, but my toilet is not yet completed. See what a gorgeous scarf I
have got here--green and gold, and with a gold fringe that will reach to
my boots; and the landlord insists on lending me his own silver-mounted
sabre. I say, old fellow, have you courage to go through the town with
me?"

"You forget you are in the last fashion of the place; if they stare at
you now, it will be approvingly."

"What's the distance? Are we to walk?"

"Walk or drive, as you like best. On foot we can do it in an hour."

"On foot be it, then; for though I am very impatient to see them, I
have much to ask you about."

As they issued from the inn, it was, as L'Estrange surmised, to meet
a most respectful reception from the townsfolk, who regarded Jack as a
mountaineer chief of rank and station. They uncovered and made way
for him as he passed; and from the women, especially, came words of
flattering admiration at his handsome looks and gallant bearing.

"Are they commenting on the ass in the lion's skin?" said Jack, in a sly
whisper. "Is that what they are muttering to each other?"

"Quite the reverse. It is all in extravagant praise of you. The police
are on the alert, too; they think there must be mischief brewing in the
mountains, that has brought a great chief down to Cattaro."

Thus, chatting and laughing, they gained the outskirts of the town,
and soon found themselves on one of the rural paths which led up the
mountain.

"Don't think me very stupid, George, or very tiresome," said Jack, "if
I ask you to go over again what you told me this morning. Such strange
things have befallen me of late that I can scarcely distinguish between
fact and fancy. Now, first of all, have we lost Castello--and who owns
it?"

"No. The question is yet to be decided; the trial will take place in
about two months."

"And if we are beaten, does it mean that we are ruined? Does it sweep
away Marion and Nelly's fortunes, too?"

"I fear so. I know little accurately, but I believe the whole estate is
involved in the claim."

"Gusty bears it well, you say?"

"Admirably. I never saw a man behave with such splendid courage."

"I 'll not ask about Nelly, for I could swear for _her_ pluck. She was
always the best of us."

If L'Estrange drank in this praise with ecstas