he barracks, and repeated the whole of the
conference between him and the Friar Thomaso.

"It must be poison, of course," observed Gascoigne; "suppose we try it
upon some animal?"

"No, Massa Gascoigne," replied Mesty, "I try it myself, by-and-bye. Now
what we do?"

"I must give you the order for the thousand dollars, Mesty," replied
Jack. "The rascal here writes to me that for that sum he will consent
not only not to oppose me, but agrees to assist my cause; but the great
question is, whether he will keep his word with you, Mesty; if not, I
shall lose my money. So therefore we must now have another palaver and
argue the point."

The point was argued between Jack and Gascoigne. A thousand dollars was
a large sum, but Jack's father was a philosopher. After many _pros_ and
_cons_, it was as last decided that the money should be given to Mesty;
but that Mesty should state, when he took the money to the friar, that
he had administered the powder, and claim it when he presented it.

The next day the order for the money was given to Mesty, and he went to
the Friar Thomaso with it. The friar hastened with Mesty to the
monastery and sent for the interpreter.

"You have given it?" inquired the friar.

"Yes--not one hour ago. Here de order for de money."

"You must run for the money before he is dead, for the powder is very
rapid."

"And me," replied Mesty, apparently much alarmed, "where am I to go?"

"As soon as you bring the money here, you must go back to the barracks.
Remain there till he is dead, and then return here. I will have all
ready, and take you, as soon as it is dusk, to a monastery of our order
in the mountains, where no one will think of looking for you till the
affair is blown over; and then I will find you a passage in some vessel
out of the island."

Mesty hastened for the money, and taking it in a large bag to the
monastery, delivered it to the friar's charge, and then returned to the
barracks to Easy and Gascoigne. It was agreed that he should go with
the friar, who would probably remain away some time; indeed, Mesty
insisted upon so doing. Mesty stayed two hours, and then returned about
dusk to the monastery, and reported the death of our hero. He remained
there until it was dark, and then the friar ordered him to tie the bag
of dollars to his saddle-bow. They mounted two mules, which stood
already caparisoned, and quitted Palermo.

In the morning, Don Philip, as usual, made his a