Part 40 (1/2)

We left the Molo, and paused at a retired street corner leading from the Chiaja.

”You remember Carmelo Neri?” I asked.

Andrea shrugged his shoulders with an air of infinite commiseration.

”Ah! povero diavolo! Well do I remember him! A bold fellow and brave, with a heart in him, too, if one did but know where to find it. And now he drags the chain! Well, well, no doubt it is what he deserves; but I say, and always will maintain, there are many worse men than Carmelo.”

I briefly related how I had seen the captured brigand in the square at Palermo and had spoken with him. ”I mentioned you,” I added, ”and he bade me tell you Teresa had killed herself.”

”Ah! that I well know,” said the little captain, who had listened to me intently, and over whose mobile face flitted a shadow of tender pity, as he sighed. ”Poverinetta! So fragile and small! To think she had the force to plunge the knife in her breast! As well imagine a little bird flying down to pierce itself on an uplifted bayonet. Ay, ay! women will do strange things--and it is certain she loved Carmelo.”

”You would help him to escape again if you could, no doubt?” I inquired with a half smile.

The ready wit of the Sicilian instantly a.s.serted itself.

”Not I, eccellenza,” he replied, with an air of dignity and most virtuous honesty. ”No, no, not now. The law is the law, and I, Andrea Luziani, am not one to break it. No, Carmelo must take his punishment; it is for life they say--and hard as it seems, it is but just. When the little Teresa was in the question, look you, what could I do? but now--let the saints that choose help Carmelo, for I will not.”

I laughed as I met the audacious flash of his eyes; I knew, despite his protestations, that if Carmelo Neri ever did get clear of the galleys, it would be an excellent thing for him if Luziani's vessel chanced to be within reach.

”You have your brig the 'Laura' still?” I asked him.

”Yes, eccellenza, the Madonna be praised! And she has been newly rigged and painted, and she is as trig and trim a craft as you can meet with in all the wide blue waters of the Mediterranean.”

”Now you see,” I sad, impressively, ”I have a friend, a relative, who is in trouble: he wishes to get away from Naples quietly and in secret.

Will you help him? You shall be paid whatever you think proper to demand.”

The Sicilian looked puzzled. He puffed meditatively at his cigar and remained silent.

”He is not pursued by the law,” I continued, noting his hesitation. ”He is simply involved in a cruel difficulty brought upon him by his own family--he seeks to escape from unjust persecution.”

Andrea's brow cleared.

”Oh, if that is the case, eccellenza, I am at your service. But where does your friend desire to go?”

I paused for a moment and considered.

”To Civita Vecchia,” I said at last, ”from that port he can obtain a s.h.i.+p to take him to his further destination.”

The captain's expressive face fell--he looked very dubious.

”To Civita Vecchia is a long way, a very long way,” he said, regretfully; ”and it is the bad season, and there are cross currents and contrary winds. With all the wish in the world to please you, eccellenza, I dare not run the 'Laura' so far; but there is another means--”

And interrupting himself he considered awhile in silence. I waited patiently for him to speak.

”Whether it would suit your friend I know not,” he said at last, laying his hand confidentially on my arm, ”but there is a stout brig leaving here for Civita Vecchia on Friday morning next--”

”The day after Giovedi Gra.s.so?” I queried, with a smile he did not understand. He nodded.

”Exactly so. She carries a cargo of Lacrima Cristi, and she is a swift sailer. I know her captain--he is a good soul; but,” and Andrea laughed lightly, ”he is like the rest of us--he loves money. You do not count the francs--no, they are nothing to you--but we look to the soldi. Now, if it please you I will make him a certain offer of pa.s.sage money, as large as you shall choose, also I will tell him when to expect his one pa.s.senger, and I can almost promise you that he will not say no!”

This proposal fitted in so excellently with my plans that I accepted it, and at once named an exceptionally munificent sum for the pa.s.sage required. Andrea's eyes glistened as he heard.