"Now let us have supper, my little princess, and afterwards we will open the mail bags and see what they have brought us."
Gentiliska clapped her hands together, to summon the old woman of the band, who quickly made her appearance at the door.
"Supper immediately, Hecate!" said the girl.
The woman nodded and withdrew. And in a few moments she reappeared and summoned them in to the evening meal.
The supper was served in the rudest possible fashion. There was neither table nor chairs. A fine table-cloth not too clean was spread upon the floor, and on it were arranged a few plain articles of food such as could be quickly prepared.
"You will excuse our imperfect housekeeping, I hope, Mrs. Berners. The fact is we have just moved in, and have not got quite comfortably settled yet," laughed the captain as he folded his own cloak as a seat for Sybil, and led her up and placed her on it, and sat himself down by her side.
Other members of the band joined them at the meal, and Captain Inconnu and Gentiliska did the honors.
Fortunately there was nothing stronger than wine set before the men, and not much of that; and upon those who had been accustomed to strong brandy, and a great deal of it, this lighter beverage had but little effect. So, to Sybil's great relief, she perceived that they continued sober to the end of their repast.
"Come in now, and let us take a look at the contents of the mail bags! That may afford some amusement to our lady guest," said Captain Inconnu, when they all arose from the supper.
They passed into the front parlor, where the robber chief with his own hands opened the mail bags, and turning them up side down, emptied all their contents in a heap in the middle of the floor.