“You threaten me with the police, do you?” cried Garofoli.
“Yes, I do,” replied my master, nowise intimidated by the bully’s fury.
“Ah, Vitalis,” he hissed, “so you’ll talk? Well, I can talk also. Your affairs do not concern me, but there are others who are interested in you and if I tell, if I say one name… Ah, who will have to hide his head in shame?”
My master was silent. Shame! His shame! I was amazed, but before I had time to think, he had taken me by the hand.
“Come, Remi,” he said. And he drew me to the door.
“Oh,” cried Garofoli, now laughing, “I thought you wanted to talk to me, old fellow.”
“I have nothing to say to you.”
Then, without another word, we went down the stairs, he still holding me tightly by the hand. With what relief I followed him! I had escaped from that tyrant! If I had dared I would have thrown my arms around Vitalis’ neck.
Chapter XVIIPOOR VITALIS
While we were in the street Vitalis said not a word, but soon we came to a narrow alley and he sat down on a mile-stone and passed his hand several times across his forehead.