"'But, your excelleilcy'——
"'I must have the silk handkerchief.'
"'It is an injustice.'
"'Ha! Do you dare speak ill of his majesty's sbirri? Come along to prison.'
"'You shall have the silk handkerchief, your excellency.'
"'How will you find the officer again?'
"'He is gone to pay a visit in the Strada de Foria. I will go and wait for him at the door.'
"The lazzarone walked away, turned the corner of the street, and established himself in the recess of a doorway. Presently the young officer came out of a house opposite, and before he had gone ten paces, put his hand in his pocket, and found he was minus a handkerchief.
"'Pardon me, excellency,' said the lazzarone, stepping up to him; 'you have lost something, I think?'
"'I have lost a cambric handkerchief.'