"I do not believe I can stand any more coffee," confessed Dan.
"So you and I, Surigny, must drink all the coffee at this table," said Dalny, with a shrug of his shoulders.
"I can drink a little more," replied the Count.
The day was now rapidly waning, bringing on a balminess of evening such as is found in few places other than Naples. The streets were becoming crowded with pedestrians.
"Waiter," called Dalny, "you will be good enough to secure for us a carriage with good horses. Get it as quickly as you can."
But the waiter, perceiving a signal from Dalny, knew that the carriage must not arrive too soon.
In the meantime Dave scanned the bill that had been presented for the meal, then laid a banknote on the bill. The waiter, returning, attended to the paying of the bill and received his "tip" from the change that he brought back.
The party lingered at the table to wait for the arrival of the carriage that was intended to convey Dave Darrin and Dan Dalzell to their death.
"My dear Count," said Dalny presently, "I regret much that the appointment which you told me you had for this evening will prevent you from going with us. Can you not manage to break the appointment without doing injustice to others?"
Taking his cue from the manner in which the question was put, the Comte of Surigny replied: