For some time the Major continued to eat and drink, and was so completely immersed in this occupation as to seem quite oblivious of his companion. He then lighted his cigar and smoked on till they reached Caserta, where the carriage halted to change horses.
“The fellow is asking for something for the ostler,” said M'Caskey, nudging Skeffy with his elbow as he spoke.
“My servant, sir, looks to these details,” said Skefify, haughtily.
“Take these, old boy,” said M'Caskey, pitching out to him the basket with the fragments of his late meal, and the silver forks and cup it contained; and the horses whirled the carriage along at full speed as he did so.
“You are perfectly munificent, sir,” cried Skefif, angrily, “with what does not belong to you. The proprietor of the Hotel d'Universo will probably look to you for payment for hi s property.”
“If your friend of the Universo has a salt spoon of his own this time to-morrow, he 'll be a lucky dog.”
“How so? What do you mean?”
“I mean, sir, that as the troops withdraw, pillage will begin. There is but one force in Naples that could control a mob.”
“And that is?”
“The Camorra! and but one man could command the Camorra, and he is here!”