"She appreciates a jest as thoroughly as I do; moreover, she will stand by me in anything I may do. To-morrow morning, then. We shall go direct to Florence and engage carriages to take us out to the Villa Ariadne. We are all capable enough actors to carry out the venture successfully. And now, to relieve Mr. Worth's chivalrous mind, I shall reclaim my pendant. You will doubtless have enough money to forward yourselves to Florence. Once you arrive there, you will leave the further burdens upon my shoulders. Come, Kitty, we must be going. I know that I can rely upon you gentlemen to enter with full spirit into the adventure."
"We are all crazy, but who cares?" O'Mally cried. But he trembled in his boots, and thought vainly of a certain comfortable chop-house on old Broadway.
The three men bowed ceremoniously. Worth opened the door for the women, and when it closed after them he turned savagely toward O'Mally.
"You—ass!"
"There are others!" retorted O'Mally, afire. "You agreed; so drop it. But what the devil are we going to do?"
"That's the question!" Smith got out his pipe.
"We are all going to the Villa Ariadne, and from there to jail!" And Worth flung out of the salon.
"Jail," mused O'Mally. "Blame me, if I don't believe he's right!"