“He is a deserter from a king’s ship. These marines are under orders. Hinder them at your peril!”
“This is Italy, not the high seas,” rejoined Gordon calmly. “British law does not reach here. You may say that to the captain of the Pylades.”
Cassidy turned furiously to his men. “Go on and take him!” he commanded.
Again they advanced, but they looked full into Gordon’s pistol and the voice behind it said:
“That, under this roof, no man shall do! On my word as a peer of England!”
A few moments later, Cassidy, his face purpled with disappointment, had led his marines into the street, the agitated clergyman had gathered his flock again, and the hall was clear.
A postern gate opened from the Lanfranchi garden and to this Gordon led Trevanion without a word. The latter passed out with eyes that did not meet his deliverer’s.
As Gordon climbed the stairway to where Teresa waited, shaken with the occurrence, the Rev. Dr. Nott was rounding the services so abruptly terminated with the shorter benediction:
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.”