“Are they commenting on the ass in the lion's skin?” said Jack, in a sly whisper. “Is that what they are muttering to each other?”
“Quite the reverse. It is all in extravagant praise of you. The police are on the alert, too; they think there must be mischief brewing in the mountains, that has brought a great chief down to Cattaro.”
Thus, chatting and laughing, they gained the outskirts of the town, and soon found themselves on one of the rural paths which led up the mountain.
“Don't think me very stupid, George, or very tiresome,” said Jack, “if I ask you to go over again what you told me this morning. Such strange things have befallen me of late that I can scarcely distinguish between fact and fancy. Now, first of all, have we lost Castello—and who owns it?”
“No. The question is yet to be decided; the trial will take place in about two months.”
“And if we are beaten, does it mean that we are ruined? Does it sweep away Marion and Nelly's fortunes, too?”
“I fear so. I know little accurately, but I believe the whole estate is involved in the claim.”
“Gusty bears it well, you say?”
“Admirably. I never saw a man behave with such splendid courage.”
“I 'll not ask about Nelly, for I could swear for her pluck. She was always the best of us.”