n both sides of the Arno, and, as usual,
brilliant with light, like a world of stars shining in mimic rivalry of
those that studded the purple vault above.

Before him were the mazes of the Alla Croce, the darkness of which
suburb was only interrupted by a few straggling and feeble lights
gleaming from houses of entertainment, or from huts whose poverty
required not the protection of shutters to the casements.

And now, as one of those faint lights suddenly fell upon the wayfarer's
countenance, as he passed the abode in which it shone--let us avail
ourselves of the opportunity afforded by that glimpse, to state that
this man's features were handsome, but coarse, bearing the traces of a
dissolute life. His age was apparently forty; it might even have been a
few years more matured--but his coal-black hair, mustachio, and bushy
whiskers, unstreaked by silver, showed that time sat lightly on his
head, in spite of the evident intimacy with the wine-cup above alluded
to.

Having threaded the greater portion of the suburb, which was almost
knee-deep in mud--for it had been raining nearly all day, and had only
cleared up after sunset--the individual whom we have been describing
stopped at the corner of a street, and gave a shrill whistle.

The signal was immediately answered in a similar fashion, and in a few
minutes a man emerged from the darkness of a by-street. He also was
well-armed, but much more plainly dressed than the other; and his
countenance was such as would not have proved a very friendly witness in
his favor in a court of justice.

"Lomellino?" said the first individual whom we have described in this
chapter.

"Captain Stephano!" responded the other.

"All right, my fine lad," returned the bandit-captain. "Follow me."

The two robbers then proceeded in silence until they reached a house
larger and stronger in appearance than any other in the same street. The
shutters which protected the casements were massive and strengthened
with iron bars and huge nails, somewhat after the fashion of church
doors.

The walls were of solid gray stones, whereas those of the adjacent huts
were of mud or wood. In a word, this dwelling seemed a little fortress
in the midst of an exposed and unprotected town.

Before this house the robbers stopped.

"Do you remain on the other side of the street, Lomellino," said the
bandit-chief; "and if need be, you will answer to my accustomed signal."

"Good, captain," was the reply