I heard a curious sound, half oath, half groan, proceeding from Salvator Rosa. Masaniello was like a man in a trance. He walked to Il Signore, and the sound of his voice thrilled through me.

"Comrade," he said, "the Duke of Arcos has sent to me and offered to make me the second in the city: to be the leader of the people, to advise, to exercise a right of veto in the Council: to have power henceforth to maintain the rights of the suffering and helpless."

I envied the other the skill with which he suddenly controlled himself.

"A clever ruse," was all he said, "but is there not the King of Spain to be considered? "

The Cardinal had glided up in front of us.

"The King of Spain commands in Madrid, the Viceroy of the King of Spain in Naples. I, Cardinal Archbishop, pledge my sacred word both for myself and for His Excellency."

Salvator Rosa opened his mouth and shut it. Then he quietly withdrew, and went with Masaniello out of earshot. On his return I remarked that his hands were restless like a gambler's.

"It is for Masaniello to decide," he said. He picked up a straw, placed it between his teeth and chewed it. The Cardinal was reading from a breviary.

They must have stood so for five minutes while, as it seemed to me, the fate of France or Spain hung in the balance. The mountebanks had paused in the middle of their packing, and were staring at us. Around the grisly trophies in the centre were some children playing. One of them stopped in his scurrying and gazed up solemnly at Masaniello.

"The Cause, comrade," said Il Signore, and he stooped and patted the child upon the forehead.

"Not dreams but actions," said the Cardinal, "the practical welfare of the people."

"God!

A convulsive sob burst from the fisherman. God!" he cried. "Help me to do what is best for these unhappy people!"

He swayed like an aspen, took one step towards

M

Salvator Rosa, then turned and flung himself before the Cardinal.

Il Signore laughed and strode off rapidly.

"In chess," said a croaking voice behind me, "in chess as in life a Knight is often less useful than a Bishop. I remember hearing once from Salvio-Ugh, sir, let us about our business. I was not far wrong when I suggested that a shipload of ducats would be needed."

I glanced up at the Cardinal. His thin lips were curved with the faintest suspicion of a smile. Masaniello was clinging to his feet and kissing them.

We moved off in pursuit of Il Signore, and I discovered suddenly that Donna Claudia was weeping.

CHAPTER XIX

THE TREASURE GALLEON

How well I remember the blank look of astonishment which came over Salvator Rosa when Donna Claudia gave him her instructions. It was on the morning following the official recognition by the Viceroy of the leadership of Masaniello, and arrangements were already in progress for a meeting between Duke and Fisherman. Salvator Rosa had his own plans, doubtless, for the word despair was never found in his vocabulary, but for the moment indeed it seemed as though the insurrection had come to an abrupt conclusion with the practical attainment of its object: namely, the right of the people to an equal voice with the nobility in fiscal and domestic government. Yet in reality the issue remained unaltered. The flame had been kindled, and with further fuel might easily be brought to burn with the same brightness as before. The influence of the Cardinal over the superstitious character of Masaniello might be one thing: the attitude of the populace was quite another. The arrival of the French fleet in the Bay would test the true temper of the people. Hence the problem really resolved itself into one of time, and in that respect at least the advantage lay with us. Thanks to the Company of Death the approaches of the city had been so closely guarded since the commencement of the outbreak that we were fully confident that no armed force could venture within a range of many miles without detection. As a matter of fact there were no Spanish troops nearer than Tuscany, and our own strength in

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the city was more than sufficient to cope with any locally levied body sent against us. We could afford to watch developments. The object was the same to the Cardinal as to ourselves: to humour the people and so gain them to one side or the other. With true diplomatic cunning he had gauged the influence of Masaniello. The counter-blow of Salvator Rosa still lay locked in the breast of that astute conspirator.

And meanwhile, matters wavering in the balance, I had it in my power to throw into the scale that weight of gold which counts for more than all diplomacy. The keen vision of Donna Claudia had that morning espied the anxiously awaited sail on the horizon, and I in my turn was about to play the hero. Preparations had been completed, a score of trusty comrades, picked by Donna Claudia, primed to their task and bound to secrecy. "It was to be a surprise," she said, with womanly love of mystery, nor would she take her brother into confidence. "He is too hasty, too passionate, and a slip would ruin everything. Besides he has the artistic temperament, and to men of his stamp money has no value."

Whence it came about that he presented that look of blank astonishment which I have mentioned.

"Brother," she had said to him with charming simplicity of manner, "at the far end of the Mergellina there is to be found a little jutting promontory. This evening at nightfall you will be at that point with the Company. There will be fighting."

He answered nothing for a time and stared at her. Then he guffawed gently.

"Fighting?" he said.

"What kind of fighting?" "That is our secret," she cried, resting her hands upon his shoulders. "But it will be real fighting and not make-believe. You must be armed to the teeth, concealed among the bushes, a full five score of you, and silent as the grave. At nightfall, mind you. And fail not at your peril."

"Claudia," his tone had, I thought, a touch of cold

ness-"you are over-fond of mysteries. Who is this

enemy

?" "Your eyes will tell you," she said gaily. "Lie still and keep them fixed upon the water."

And seeing no doubt his growing sternness, she put up her cheek to his. "It is only a woman's secret, brother, but more than you think may come of it. Remember that I trust to your obedience."

We left him standing stroking his beard and looking after us. Donna Claudia waved her hand to him as we turned round the corner.

"And now, signore," she flashed the saying at me, "A chi vuol fare, non manca che fare."

We made our way to the rocks below the tomb of Virgil, and there separated for the purpose of assuming our disguises.

That our scheme was a hazardous one we were only too well aware, yet when we assembled later at the rendezvous I doubt whether a thought of danger crossed our minds. Thanks to the ingenuity of old Don Muzio and the resourcefulness of Donna Claudia, our make-up was such as reduced us all to merriment. There was I in uniform-the gala uniform which I had donned but once-now stained with mire, bedraggled with damp and clay, here spotted with blood, here torn and dishevelled, the gold and lace half-ripped from the gay facings-I, with a bloodstained bandage round my brow and my left arm suspended uselessly in a strip of coarse blue linen bandage. Donna Claudia herself was in no better plight, for-thanks again to old Don Muzio -her pallor rivalled mine in realistic lividness, and the rich robe which she wore bore manifest traces of the indignities which had left a scarlet weal from nose to forehead. The others-madcap painters every one of them, and enjoying the desperate frolic as only madcaps can-were but a piteous sight to look upon in the ragged remnants of the liveries which had once adorned the rowers of the state viceregal barge. Many were bleeding or with traces of blood upon their raiment,