. He had not
counted upon this addition to the party, and was as scowling as she could
have wished. While the officers were engaged in making their bow to the
others, Constance casually reapproached the donkeys. Tony feigned
immersion in the business of strapping hampers; he had no wish to be
drawn into any Italian tete-a-tete. But to his relief she addressed him
this time in English.

"Are these donkeys used to mountain-climbing?"

"But yes, signorina! _Sicuramente_. Zay are ver' strong, ver' good. Zat
donk', signorina, he go all day and never one little stumble."

His English, she noted with amused appreciation, was an exact copy of
Gustavo's; he had learned his lesson well. But she allowed not the
slightest recognition of the fact to appear in her face.

"And what are their names?" she inquired.

"Dis is Fidilini, signorina, and zat one wif ze white nose is Macaroni,
and zat ovver is Cristoforo Colombo."

Elizabetta appeared in the doorway with two rush-covered flasks, and Tony
hurried forward to receive them. There was a complaisant set to his
shoulders as he strode off, Constance noted delightedly; he was
felicitating himself upon the ease with which he had fooled her. Well!
She would give him cause before the day was over for other than
felicitations. She stifled a laugh of prophetic triumph and sauntered
over to Beppo.

"When Tony is engaged as a guide do you always go with him?"

"Not always, signorina, but Carlo has wished me to go to-day to look
after the donkeys."

"And who is Carlo?"

"He is the guide who owns them."

Beppo looked momentarily guilty; the answer had slipped out before he
thought.

"Oh, indeed! But if Tony is a guide why doesn't he have donkeys of his
own?"

"He used to, but one unfortunately fell into the lake and got drowned and
the other died of a sickness."

He put forth this preposterous statement with a glance as grave and
innocent as that of a little cherub.

"Is Tony a good guide?"

"But yes, of the best!"

There was growing anxiety in Beppo's tone. He divined suspicion behind
these persistent inquiries, and he knew that in case Tony were
dismissed, his own munificent pay would stop.

"Do you understand any English?" she suddenly asked.

He modestly repudiated any great knowledge. "A word here, a word there; I
learn it in school."

"I see!" She paused for a moment and then inquired casually, "Have you
known Tony long?"

"_Si_, signorina."

"How long?"