"How long," said the sullen brigand, "with all respect, before your own fortunes will be mended, sir, and ours?"
"You are quite sure you know nothing of stocks?"
"Nothing, excellency."
"Then listen. They shall be mended to-day. To-morrow come to my bank——"
"Oh, sir, we dare not show our faces in Rome."
"Very well, then; to-morrow at ten sharp I shall leave Rome in a motor-car. Watch for me along the Appian Way."
He shook them by their brown, grimy hands, mounted the impatient Biddy, and was gone—blissfully smiling.
Upon reaching Rome he rode to his palace and assured Luigi the valet that all was well. Then he bathed, changed, breakfasted, napped, and drove to the hospital of Our Lady in Emergencies. He saw the superior and gave her the leather bag containing the brigands' savings.
"For my sins," he said. "I have told lies half the night."
Then he drove to his great banking house and sent for the cashier.