“That’s a good idea. I’ll act on it.”
Mr. Sanderson took out a cigar, and, lighting it, put it in his mouth. Next he selected three others, offering the first to the man who sat beside the vetturino.
“Will you have a cigar, my friend?” he said.
The bandit took it, and said politely, “Grazia, signor.”
“What’s that?”
“He says ‘thank you,’” returned Bernard.
The other bandits accepted the cigars graciously, and were evidently more favorably inclined to the travelers they were escorting.
“I say, Bernard, we look like a friendly family party,” said Amos, who was amused by the situation.
The new driver was in no hurry. He drove in leisurely fashion, partly because their way ran up hill, partly because his two companions were obliged to walk, and could not otherwise keep up.
“I wish I knew where they were taking us,” said Amos Sanderson.