"How did you take him?" asked the major.
The lieutenant invented a fable, to the effect that Fra Diavolo, hunted, pursued, hemmed about, had sought shelter in a village which he believed to be friendly to him; but he had been arrested, seized and bound during the night, and the whole village had formed his escort for fear he should escape.
"Bandits! wretches! traitors!" exclaimed Fra Diavolo.
The explanation was all sufficient for the major; besides, the chief thing was that Fra Diavolo was caught; any accompanying explanations concerning the capture were mere questions of curiosity.
"Very good!" he said; "hand me over your bandit."
"Certainly; but first hand over to us the twenty thousand ducats."
"How is it likely I should have twenty thousand ducats with me?" retorted the major.
"In that case," said the lieutenant, "no money, no Fra Diavolo!"
"Humph!..." said the major.
"Oh! I am well aware that you are the stronger force," remarked the lieutenant, "and that you can take us if you wish; but, if you do take us, you will have stolen twenty. thousand ducats from our pockets."