At length the conference seemed to be over. One of the bandits took out a few scudi and handed them to the vetturino. The latter looked very much dissatisfied and had the appearance of one who was making a bad bargain.
Then the bandit who had taken the lead came to the door of the carriage.
“Gentlemen, you will descend,” he said.
“What’s that?” asked the American.
“He says we are to get out of the carriage,” interpreted Bernard.
“What’s that for, I wonder?”
“Probably we shall find out after a while.”
When the three travelers had left the carriage their traveling bags were taken from the vettura and placed in their hands.
Then Pasquale mounted the box and drove away. “Where are you going, Pasquale?” asked Walter Cunningham.
“I am obliged to go. The gentlemen will not allow me to go any further.”