kind enough to
step inside and look at some of the bargains I am offering."

Dave, who understood, whispered to Dalny:

"It can hardly be worth while to get out and look at what is probably
stolen goods."

"On the contrary," rejoined Dalny, "this man is likely to show us some
things that will help me in explaining the interesting points of
Naples to you. Come!"

Opening the door of the carriage, the international plotter stepped
out, leading the way. Of course Dave and Dan followed him.

It now turned out that the Italian's shop was some doors farther up
along this block. As he led the way, and Dalny and the Americans
followed, neither young officer observed that the driver had turned
his horses around and was driving away.

At the same time, the few men now on the sidewalk of this block
started to close in on the little party.

Tragedy was stepping across the threshold!

CHAPTER XI

HEMMED IN BY THE BRAVOS

Suddenly out of a doorway lurched a big Sicilian, seemingly
intoxicated.

He lurched against Dave, then drew back, scowling fiercely at the
young ensign.

"Your mistake, sir," spoke Darrin, purposely using English.

Dave would have passed, but now the fellow placed himself squarely in
Darrin's way.

"You have struck me!" snarled the Sicilian in his own language. "Why?"

Then, uttering a peculiar cry, the man, with a movement of wonderful
swiftness, drew a knife. In the dim light that blade flashed like
subdued fire.

"One, two, three--out!" gritted Dave Darrin, leaping forward.

Striking up the fellow's arm, Dave caught at the knife-wrist. He
twisted it savagely and the weapon clattered to the rough pavement.

Bump! Dave struck the fellow hard between the eyes, sending him to
earth, where he lay still.

Dan, now keenly alert, discovered that the pretended shop-keeper had
also drawn a knife.

"To quarters!" yelled Danny Grin.

"Back to back!" shouted Dave, placing his shoulders close to his
chum's. "Dan, we must fight for our lives. The lives of all these
cattle are not worth a scratch on our bodies! Down 'em!"

"We'll make ten-pins of 'em," hissed Dalzell.

And Monsieur Dalny? That honorable gentleman was now scuttling down
the street to safety.

The fight that followed was a mixture of boxing, football tactics and
sheer Yankee grit that Dave and Dan now employed as they faced more
than half a dozen scoundrels armed with the long, thin knives of the
bravos of Naples.

Bum