"Well!" the gambusino said, suddenly, "I will not be beat. I will play the old demon a trick after my fashion."
"What is your plan?"
"That is my business. If you had placed greater confidence in me, all this would not have happened, and we should have settled matters, to the general satisfaction. Well, what is done cannot be undone, and I will try to repair your fault, so now be off."
"Off—where to?"
"To the foot of the mountain; but do not come up again unless your comrades are with you. You will act as their guide to this spot."
"But you?"
"Don't trouble yourself about me. Good-bye."
"Well," the young man said, "I leave you at liberty to act as you think proper."
"You ought to have formed that resolution sooner. Ah, by the way, just leave me your hat."
"With great pleasure; but you have one."