The man seemed a little surprised, and altered his tone at once.
"I will give your message, signore."
"Beware how you fail--harkee--is there a road to the Via Appia behind this house?"
"Yes, signore, straight on, after taking the passage."
I did not even thank him, but turned on my heel, and walked off whistling a catch. I went down the passage between the two walls, and after some considerable stumblings up and down the vile roads, reached the Via Appia and turned southwards to my hostel. I had formed the somewhat daring plan of trying to force the house in broad daylight, choosing my time an hour or so after dinner, and if done boldly this would probably be successful, as my own force was nearly equal to that of the garrison including Pluto.
As I was approaching the Rubicon, I heard a voice at my side.
"A copper, signore--a brown paul."
"Gian."
"Excellency."
"Drop the beggar, and attend--can you ride?"