er than we like," said the other, with a faint smile. "Are
you sure your friend will return with you, even if you should track him
out?"

"I think I can answer for him. I am almost certain that I can."

"Can you answer for Garibaldi, too?--will _he_ give him up?"

"I believe Garibaldi cares a great deal for the good opinion of England;
and when he sees me, her Majesty's--"

"Yes, yes, I can understand that. Well, I have no time to give you for
more consideration of the matter; but I 'll do better. I'll give you
this gentleman,--my aide-decamp, Colonel the Count M'Caskey; he'll pass
you through our lines, and go, as flag of truce, to the head-quarters
of the rebels. The whole thing is a blunder, and I am doing exceedingly
wrong; but here we are, making one mistake after another every day, and
all regularity and order are totally forgotten." Turning to M'Caskey, he
took him aside for a few seconds and spoke eagerly and rapidly to him,
and then, once more shaking Skeff's hand, he wished him well through his
adventure and drove off.

"Whenever you have all in readiness, sir," said M'Cas-key, slightly
raising his hat,--"and I hope your carriage is a comfortable one,--take
me up at the Aquila d' Oro, two doors from the Cafe di Spagno;" uttering
the words in a tone of such positive command that Skeffy had only to
accede; and, coldly bowing to each other, they separated.

CHAPTER LV. AMONGST THE GARIBALDIANS

By heavy bribery and much cajolery, Skeff Darner secured a carriage
and horses, and presented himself at the Cafe di Spagna a little before
midnight. It was not, however, till he had summoned M'Caskey for the
third time that the gallant Colonel arose and joined him.

"I suspect that waiter did not tell you I was here, and waiting for
you?" said Skeff, somewhat irritated.

"I rather apprehend," replied M'Caskey, "that you were not aware I was
at supper."

With this brief passage of arms each sank back into his corner, and
nothing more was said.

For a long while the way led through that long suburb of Naples that
lies on the south of the city, and the tramp of the horses over the
pavement would have made any conversation difficult to hear. At length,
however, they gained the smooth road, and then Skeff discovered, from
the long-drawn breathings of his companion, that he was sound asleep.

By the small wax taper with which he lighted his cigar, Skeff examined
the features of the man; and, brief as was the i