"'My share of what?'
"'Of the barattolo—of the funds that we collect.'
"'But——'
"'It is offered as a token that we wish you to be one of us.'
"'One of you? One of the Camorra?'
"'Precisely. It is the rule, when a man has proved himself, that he shall be invited to be one of us.'
"It really seemed as though my chance had come to get an answer to my question. I reached out my hand in sign of amity and asked it.
"'Speak to me as a friend, then. Excuse my ignorance, and tell me what is this Camorra which I am asked to join.'
"But I was once more put off.
"'Hush! It is the rule only to inform the companions by degrees.'