“Placido Tomaselli.”
“Confusion!” exclaimed the bandit; “he was here but an instant ago.”
“And has he left the castle?” inquired the merchant.
“Just before you came in,” replied Bruno.
“Then,” said the merchant, “he has gone after the police and the soldiers; for, as far as I can see, you were about to sit down to supper.”
“You see I was,” said Bruno.
“Then I am right; and if you wish to escape, you have not a minute to lose.”
“I fly!” cried Bruno, laughing. “Ali! Ali!” and Ali entered the room.
“Close the gates of the castle, my lad, and turn three of my dogs loose in the court-yard, and send the fourth, Lionna, upstairs, and get the ammunition ready.”
The women began to scream.