"Perhaps I am," said O'Mally. He tossed his cap on the stones and sat down with Smith on the iron bench. "No, no tea, thank you. What I need is a glass, a whole glass, of good Irish whisky. This thing has been on my mind since noon, but I concluded to wait rather than spoil the whole day. I should have known nothing about it if it hadn't been for old Pietro."
"What has happened?" asked Merrihew.
"Enough," said O'Mally laconically. He directed his next words to La Signorina. "You are sure of this friend of yours, the princess?"
"Certainly," answered La Signorina, her astonishment increasing.
"She gave you the right authority?"
"Absolutely," more and more astonished.
"Agreed that we could remain here as long as we pleased?"
"Yes, yes!" impatiently.
"Well, before I swing the thunder, let me tell you something," said O'Mally. "I was in Florence a few days ago. I made some inquiries."
"About my friend the princess?"