“What then! Why, the signorina shall be given up. That is all you want, I suppose?”
“Are you ready to give her up now?”
“Oh no!” returned the brigand with a scornful laugh; “that would be delivering up the goods before they are paid for. We bandits don’t make such loose bargains.”
“Then what do you require us to do?”
“You must withdraw your men to the top of the ridge, where the pass leads out northward. Mine, set free, shall go up to that on the south. We can then see one another. You, signor, can yourself remain here with me, and receive the captive. You have nothing to fear, seeing that I have but one hand, and that a lame one. On your part I must have a promise that there shall be no treason.”
“I am willing to give it,” responded Rossi, the signor addressed, and who felt he was speaking the sentiment of his followers. “It must be in the form of an oath.”
“Agreed. I am ready to take it, now.”
“No; not till we have daylight. We must postpone it till the morning. It is near, and you won’t have long to wait.”
This was true enough. The scheme could not be carried out in the darkness, without risking treason on one side or the other. Both parties could perceive this.
“Meanwhile,” continued the bandit, “I must put out the light inside here, else you may contemplate stealing a march on me by trying to get in from behind. I don’t intend to let you surround me; and in the darkness I shall be safe. So, buono notte, signori!”