"No, thank you, Marchese!"

"Then take a cigarette, there are some on that table."

The Marchese returned to his wine and biscuits, while I lighted a cigarette, and lay down On the sofa.

"Excuse me lying down, Luigi, but our last night's experience has knocked me up terribly."

"You would never do for a soldier, Signor Hugo! I've been drilling some stupid recruits all the morning, and I feel perfectly fresh. Ecco! I'm glad to see you, however, as I have some news to tell you."

"About Pallanza?"

"Eh? No! About Madame Morone."

"Ah! she has found out we were at the vault?"

"Dame! not a bit of it. She left Verona by the five o'clock train last night."

"Left Verona!" I cried, rising hastily from my recumbent position. "Why has she gone away?"