upper they consulted together in the privacy of Trombin's room
over a thimbleful of Greek mastic, which they drank as an appetiser.
They were agreed not to lose sight of the young couple again, and not to
hurry matters to a termination. What could be more delightful than to
make the journey to Rome together with the greatest singer in the world
and his bride, acting at once as an armed escort and as friends ready to
save the happy pair all trouble about small details from day to day?
Stradella had declared that he meant to reach Rome without delay, while
he was sure of a warm welcome and of the protection of Cardinal
Altieri, in case Pignaver sent any one in pursuit.

'Rome,' said Trombin thoughtfully, 'is a convenient place for doing
business. The streets are narrow, and there are many wells in the
courtyards of the old houses.'

'It is true that we have never had any trouble in Rome,' Gambardella
answered. 'Commend me to narrow streets for business. I hate your great
squares, your promenades, your gardens, and your belvederes! Shall you
ever forget that summer's evening on the Chiatamone in Naples?'

'I feel that I am still running away,' Trombin said. 'But Rome is quite
different. It is true that we have not yet decided which of the two it
is to be. But I have just thought of a way of getting both the fees.'

'For a man of imagination, you have taken a long time to think of it!'

'It is this. We will deliver up both in Venice, Stradella to the lady,
and the girl to her uncle. The lady will believe that the girl is dead,
for she will never see or hear of her again, and she will pay us in
full. The Senator will pay half down when he gets his niece back, and
after the lady has enjoyed the Maestro's company for a few days he can
be done away with, and Pignaver will pay the balance. What do you think
of that as a solution, my friend?'

'There is much to be said for it,' Gambardella admitted.

He nodded and sipped his mastic, which was not an easy operation, since
he could not go on filling the small glass as he would a tumbler of
wine; but he ingeniously set it to one corner of his mouth, well out of
the way of his nose, and by turning his head on one side he succeeded in
sipping it to the end without spilling a drop.

'It is a monstrous thing to interrupt such a career as Stradella's,' he
continued, for his companion had said nothing. 'But five hundred ducats
are a great deal of money, and beggars cannot be choose