watched the swinging movements of the cane, looked out into the street
between half-closed eyelids, slowly puffing out rings of smoke from
his long cigar.

"We are becoming dull, good friends," laughed Dalny presently,
glancing at the others. "Suppose we order more coffee."

"No more for me, thank you," protested Dave.

"But you have had hardly any coffee," Dalny declared.

"I am ready to admit that I can't keep up with the average American in
drinking coffee," Dave replied.

"But you will have more, my dear Dalzell," urged Dalny.

Dan, who was inwardly agitated over the information he had received
secretly from his chum, looked at Dalny almost with a start. In Dan's
soul there was loathing for this foreigner with the engaging smile.

"I do not believe I can stand any more coffee," confessed Dan.

"So you and I, Surigny, must drink all the coffee at this table," said
Dalny, with a shrug of his shoulders.

"I can drink a little more," replied the Count.

The day was now rapidly waning, bringing on a balminess of evening
such as is found in few places other than Naples. The streets were
becoming crowded with pedestrians.

"Waiter," called Dalny, "you will be good enough to secure for us a
carriage with good horses. Get it as quickly as you can."

But the waiter, perceiving a signal from Dalny, knew that the carriage
must not arrive too soon.

In the meantime Dave scanned the bill that had been presented for the
meal, then laid a banknote on the bill. The waiter, returning,
attended to the paying of the bill and received his "tip" from the
change that he brought back.

The party lingered at the table to wait for the arrival of the
carriage that was intended to convey Dave Darrin and Dan Dalzell to
their death.

"My dear Count," said Dalny presently, "I regret much that the
appointment which you told me you had for this evening will prevent
you from going with us. Can you not manage to break the appointment
without doing injustice to others?"

Taking his cue from the manner in which the question was put, the
Comte of Surigny replied:

"It would delight me beyond measure to be one of the party to-night,
but it is impossible. My appointment cannot be set aside."

The restaurant was brilliantly lighted, and the street lights had
begun to flash out as the carriage arrived.

"Now, for a night of real sight-seeing!" cried Dalny, rising eagerly.
"My dear Americans, I promise you something such as you have