“Sublime daughter of the sun,” said Captain Altavilla, pointing to the prince, “take care of your golden bells, for I warn you, that you have to do with Pascal Bruno.”
“The princess,” exclaimed a voice, “would be safer in the company of Pascal Bruno than in that of a certain follower of Cardinal Ruffo of my acquaintance; Pascal Bruno is a murderer, not a thief—a bandit, and not a cutpurse.”
“Well answered,” observed the Prince of Butera.
The captain bit his lips.
“By-the-by,” said the Prince de la Cattolica, “have you heard of his last exploit?”
“Whose?” asked the Duke of Moncada.
“Pascal Bruno’s,” said the prince.
“No; what has he done?” asked the duke.
“He has stopped a convoy of money sent by the Prince of Carini to Palermo,” replied the prince.
“My ransom!” exclaimed the duke.