"Lucia, Lucia, my child, where are you?" Sister Francesca's voice trembled as she called.
"Here I am, sister," Lucia jumped up. "Do you want me?"
"Oh, my dear, I have looked everywhere for you. Come with me at once."
Lucia followed, wondering at the expression in the nun's usually placid face. But Sister Francesca did not stop to give any explanations. She led the way hurriedly back to the front door, of the convent, and up the steps through the ward of smiling men, and only stopped when she reached the door of Captain Riccardi's private room.
"Go in, my dear," she said, giving Lucia a little push. "The Captain wants to speak to you."
Lucia opened the door and found herself face to face with the King.
She was too astonished, and far too thrilled to speak. She must have shown some of her feeling in her eyes, for the Captain, who was in bed, laughed.
"Here she is, Your Majesty," he said.
The King stepped forward and put his hand on her shoulder.
"So you are the brave little girl whom I must thank for saving Captain Riccardi's life, and for blowing up the bridge?"