Ali left the room without answering, and went and laid himself down across the first door-way upon the panther’s skin that served him for a bed.
“Well,” continued Bruno, turning towards the brigadier and filling the two glasses with wine, “did you not hear me?”
“I did,” replied the brigadier, rising, “and since I have not been able to kill you, were you the very devil himself, I would drink with you.”
Uttering these words, he walked boldly up to the table, took up the glass, touched the brim of Bruno’s, and drank off the wine at a draught.
“What is your name?” asked Bruno.
“Paolo Tommassi, brigadier of gens-d’armerie, at your service,” was the reply.
“Well, Paolo Tommassi,” continued Bruno, placing his hand on his shoulder, “you are a brave fellow, and I have a great inclination to make you a promise.”
“What is it?” asked the brigadier.
“To let no one but you,” said Bruno, “obtain the reward of three thousand ducats that is set upon my head.”
“That is an excellent idea,” observed the brigadier.