the birth and life of slaves? Citizens of Naples, awake and heed me, for I bring you evil tidings. The Viceroy has increased the duty upon fruit to the amount of two carlini the cantaio!"

A roar of execration burst from the mob. In a passion of excitement Masaniello flung his arms above his head. A torrent of words flowed from his lips; there was the light of madness in his eyes.

"Justice! We will have justice! Burn the Custom House, slay the tax-collectors! To the Palace, men of Naples, to the Palace!"

He threw himself among the people, shouting as he went. The multitude took up the cry in frenzied repetition.

"Popolo! Popolo! Death to the tyrants! To the Palace! To the Palace!"

There was a rush made for the streets, a furious clamouring movement of the crowd. As it were insensibly, the mob melted away, the square emptied. I was forgotten, rescued by a miracle !

As the last fierce echoes died away, I pressed my hands to my throbbing temples with a sob of thankfulThe Mercato was deserted. Life had grown

ness.

sweet to me once more.

Painfully, for every bone in my body racked with agony, I staggered through the blinding sunshine. I had no thought of refuge, no thought of the terrible events that were taking place elsewhere, no thought beyond the consciousness that life was mine again, that I was saved.

With a start reality returned to me. A low gruff chuckle from behind dispelled my dreams into thin air. I turned with a sickening feeling at my heart. The mysterious stranger of the Toscana was before

me.

"Santo Sacramento! What is this thing of shreds and patches?"

Then with a cry of recognition:

"Body of a dog! If it is not my young German protector of last night!"

His voice rose half plaintively, half mockingly in song.

The sunlight went black before my eyes, and the ground seemed to slip from under me.

CHAPTER VII

A GRANDEE OF SPAIN

IN a small apartment leading off the great reception hall, from which it was divided merely by a masterpiece of Arras tapestry, the Viceroy was accustomed to take his ease during that not inconsiderable leisure which was afforded him from cares of state. Exquisitely furnished as it was in every detail, the chamber itself supplied a fitting commentary upon the singular occupant who there dawdled away his days in slumbering and indolence. For, since His Excellency dreaded darkness, it was ablaze with candle-light. It was without a window, without other opening save that which communicated with the hall beyond, since His Excellency lived in perpetual terror of a draught. Stifling as might be the noontide heat, not a mouthful of fresh air was ever permitted to invade the privacy of that closed-in, box-like sanctuary, not even when the parching scirocco had yielded to the welcome breezes from the north. As rigidly excluded was the daylight, His Excellency declaring that its harshness produced an affection of his eyes, and that the gentler radiance of innumerable wax-lights induced a soothing effect upon his nervous system. Solicitous to a degree about his health-and to this day I have never found reason to suppose that his many ailments arose from aught than a too excessive solicitude concerning them-the Viceroy of Naples, grandee of Spain though he was, by his childish querulousness, united to an almost incredible obstinacy, had long since alienated the last particle of sympathy from those who came in contact with him. He was of great corpulence in figure, with a plethoric

countenance such as is not often seen among the nobles of his nation; his movements were lacking alike in grace and dignity, and marked by the same indecision which characterised his mental actions.

Von Reinhold had hastened to the Palace, his brain stirred to unusual activity by my arrest. No sooner had he set foot within the courtyard than he received a peremptory summons to the apartment of His Excellency.

At the moment of his entrance this estimable ruler was reclining upon a pile of cushions. The atmosphere of the room was of that degree of closeness which he ordinarily affected, and which was scarcely bearable by his attendants. But on this occasion he was alone save for the presence of a gaily-costumed Moor, who crouched beside him fanning him slowly and monotonously. How a man of his bulk could have been content to endure that choking heat is a matter on which I can offer no opinion. His Excellency the Viceroy of Naples was differently constituted from such human beings as I have met before or since.

Holding aside the arras with one hand, von Reinhold respectfully awaited the order to approach him. The Duke was engaged in shifting himself to a more comfortable position.

"I have a pain across the eyes," he murmured, “such a pain across the eyes." With a pettish gesture he signalled to the Moor, who with a low obeisance glided swiftly from the chamber. There was a long interval

of silence, broken only by the stertorous breathing of the recumbent figure. The sweat was pouring off von Reinhold's forehead.

"Your Excellency has desired my attendance?"

The Viceroy lurched heavily upon his side.

"Attendance?

Yes, yes. Drop that arras in Heaven's name, sir! I can feel the draught in every bone of my body." And he again composed himself upon the cushions.

"Your Excellency continues to desire my attendance?"

"Eh, what? Who is it? Am I never to have peace ?"

"It is I, your Excellency, Lieutenant von Reinhold." For the first time the Viceroy exhibited some sign of animation, and turned his eyes blinkingly upon the speaker.

"Why did you not say so before, sir? I have been awaiting you these ten minutes. Draw nearer, lieutenant. There are affairs of moment, of state, concerning which I wish to question you. Let me see now, let me

see."

He put his hand to his head with an almost comic gesture.

"Be so good as to fan me, lieutenant. I am not well: a passing faintness. I shall be better in a moment. What was I saying?"

"Your Excellency was pleased to observe that certain affairs of state

"Ah! Yes! What is this that His Eminence tells me concerning disaffection in the city?"

"The institution of the gabella on fruit, as your Excellency is of course aware already, is still creating disturbance in certain quarters. If I may be per

mitted

"You are not permitted, lieutenant. That German accent of yours is intolerable to me in my present state of health. I did not ask for suggestions. You are fanning me too rapidly. Your excitement makes my head swim."

He struggled to a sitting position.

"His Eminence tells me that a small section of the populace is openly flouting my authority. You will at once take the necessary steps to put an end to this, lieutenant."

"But, your Excellency"

This is not

"There is no but about the matter, sir. the first time that I have had to complain of the negligence of the Guard in this respect. Carajo! Am I master in Naples or am I not? If the people will not pay the lawful taxes, they must be compelled to do so.