'I trust,' he said in a quiet undertone, 'that Count Trombin is in no apprehension owing to his having wounded the Pope's nephew under our windows the other night?'
'Not at all,' answered the other. 'So you saw it, did you?'
'I saw it with satisfaction, for I was at the window, and I recognised the Count's voice at once. What do you think, my friend? Will that young gentleman come serenading again?'
'How can I tell?' Tommaso was by this time a little short of breath.
'You might have heard your two gentlemen say something about it,' Cucurullo said. 'Am I walking too fast for you? You said you were in a hurry, you know.'
'Yes,' Tommaso said, rather breathlessly. 'I was—that is—I am in—in a moderate hurry!'
'My reason for going with you is that I want your valuable advice,' Cucurullo went on, still keeping up the tremendous pace without the least apparent difficulty.
'About what?' gasped the highwayman, ashamed to be beaten by a hunchback.
'Your gentlemen have already helped my master and mistress so much, that even without the Maestro's knowledge I should like to ask their protection for his wife. That is, if you approve, my friend. I want your advice, you see.'
'You will have to—to walk slower—if you—want to get it!'