“Lomellino?” said the first individual whom we have described in this chapter.
“Captain Stephano!” responded the other.
“All right, my fine lad,” returned the bandit-captain. “Follow me.”
The two robbers then proceeded in silence until they reached a house larger and stronger in appearance than any other in the same street. The shutters which protected the casements were massive and strengthened with iron bars and huge nails, somewhat after the fashion of church doors.
The walls were of solid gray stones, whereas those of the adjacent huts were of mud or wood. In a word, this dwelling seemed a little fortress in the midst of an exposed and unprotected town.
Before this house the robbers stopped.
“Do you remain on the other side of the street, Lomellino,” said the bandit-chief; “and if need be, you will answer to my accustomed signal.”
“Good, captain,” was the reply; and Lomellino crossed over the way to the deep shade of the houses on that side.
Stephano then gave a low knock at the door of the well-defended dwelling above described.
Several minutes elapsed; and no sounds were heard within.