.

He was alone, though in what sort of apartment he had no means of
judging. The floor felt smooth to his feet, as if made of tiles, and the
walls also were smooth. His captors had not untied his hands, but he
kept straining at the rope in the hope of freeing himself. Escape was
the uppermost notion in his mind. He had indeed so far succeeded in
loosening his bonds that he could almost slip one hand out. At that
crisis, however, the door opened, and he was once more led forth.

"Where are you taking me now?" he demanded angrily.

"To our captain," replied the same foreign voice which had given him his
former information, while two strong pairs of arms pushed him along.

Though his bandage was very thick, he could tell that he was passing
from comparative darkness into a brilliantly lighted room. He had a
strong sense that it was full of people. He even thought he heard a
murmur of sympathy, which was, however, instantly suppressed. Everard's
was not a nature to be cowed by any circumstances, however appalling. He
meant to show this rascally crew that an Englishman never loses his
pluck, and, in spite of the ropes that bound him, he stepped forward
with all the courage and pride of a true Ingleton.

"Am I speaking to the captain?" he said in a calm clear tone. "Then,
Signore, I wish to inform you that you have made a mistake. I am no
wealthy English landowner, as you can very soon find out for yourselves,
and I may add that, if I were, I'd stay here to all eternity sooner than
give you a penny of ransom!"

"Hurrah!" came from a voice close behind him, a voice which sounded so
familiar that Everard, forgetting his bandage, turned in much
perplexity.

"The Signore Inglese had better humble himself to our captain," murmured
his guide. "Remember that here he has the power of life and death!"

"I'll humble myself to nobody!" thundered Everard, as angry as a lion at
bay. "Untie my hands, you cowards, and I'll fight for my life! If you've
an ounce of pluck among you, you'll give me a sporting chance!"

"Ecco! E giusto!" said a fresh voice, presumably that of the captain.
"Signore, you shall have your will!"

At this a knife was passed rapidly through the ropes that bound him, and
at the same moment a hand snatched the bandage from his eyes. Dazed with
the sudden light, Everard stared round as one in a dream. He had
expected to find himself in some rough hall surrounded by brigands, and,
lo and behold, he was in the