their friends.

That one glance not only explained all to Michael Angelo, but
suggested to him a course of conduct upon which he instantly
proceeded to act.

He stepped up to the aide of Rhadamanthus, and accosting him in
Italian; he spoke a few words in a low voice. What he said was, of
course, unintelligible to the boys. After these few words, Michael
Angelo then slipped something into the hand of the inexorable one.

Then he turned to the despairing boys.

"It's all right," said Michael Angelo, cheerily. "I haf explained.
You may keep de tings."

David and Clive looked up, and stared at Michael Angelo in wonder,
not fully comprehending him.

"It's all right," said Michael Angelo. "Dey onderstand. I haf
explained. You put dem back into your pocket. You sall keep de
tings. It's all right. Dey are yours now. It's all r-r-r-r-right.
All r-r-r-r-right, I say."

David and Clive still hesitated, and looked at Rhadamanthus.

Rhadamanthus gazed benignantly at them, smiled a gracious smile,
and waved his hands with the air of a judge dismissing a case.

"All r-r-right," said Rhadamanthus; "he haf explained."

This language was somewhat unintelligible. What there was to be
explained they could not imagine. If the law prohibited the carrying
off of relics from Pompeii, no amount of "explanation" could give
them a claim to their unlawful possessions. But neither David nor
Clive was at all inclined to hesitate about the legality of their
possessions, or to make any inquiries about the nature of the
explanation which had been made by Michael Angelo. It was joy enough
for them to know that the difficulty was over, and that the relics
were theirs once more.

So the pile of relics went back from that table into the pockets
of David and Clive with a rapidity that is inconceivable. Away from
their faces passed that heart-broken expression which had been upon
them; the shadows passed away from their brows, the sunshine of
joy and exultation overspread them, and they looked at Michael
Angelo in silent gratitude.

A few minutes more and they were-in the carriage.

Then David asked Michael Angelo how it was that he had changed the
stern resolve of the inexorable Rhadamanthus into such easy,
gracious, and good-tempered indulgence.

Michael Angelo laughed.

"I gif him," said he, "just one half dollar. Dat was what he wanted
all de time. Aftaire dees you know what to do. All r-r-right. Ha,
ha, ha, ha, ha!"

And Michael A