Robert Hinge to
have been put purposely in my way this morning as a very good-natured
and very stupid fellow, and supposing Robert Hinge to have been sent
over to me on purpose to draw me out? Quite possible, quite likely,
indeed--quite in the Austrian manner, as all the world knew well.

"Don't get yourself into more mischief, anyway," I said, rising from my
seat. He took the hint, finished his glass standing, and left me with
a military salute. I sat for a full hour smoking and thinking, occupied
mainly in wondering whether I had thrown a chance away. There was
nothing to be got by wasting time, and I worried myself into a state of
feverish nervousness by thinking that this man Hinge was probably a true
and genuine fellow, and that I had missed my chance with him. It was the
clattering of a horse's hoof in the back yard of the inn that awoke me
from my reverie, and looking out I saw Brunow in the act of dismounting.
He waved his hand to me, and surrendering his horse to a hostler,
entered the house. I heard Hinge address him in English, and then he
came tearing upstairs. The note Breschia had sent to him lay upon
the table, and when he had read it he shouted from the stair-head,
"Certainly. My compliments to the lieutenant, and we will come with
pleasure."

"Here's Breschia suddenly left almost alone," he explained when he
re-entered the room. "He writes apologizing for troubling us with his
poor hospitality so often, but will I go over and take you with me?
He declares it will be a charity, and in the great hereafter will be
remembered in our favor."

I was willing enough to go; and the hour being already near, we made
some slight change in our attire and strolled across to the fortress.
Breschia met us gayly and entertained us well, but nothing of note
happened at the dinner. We sat late over our wine, and it was pitch dark
when at last we rose to go. Breschia at first insisted on accompanying
us, but, to tell the plain truth about the matter, he had taken more
than was altogether good for him, and was not to be trusted to return
alone. We compromised for a man with a lantern, and on that shook hands
and took our leave. A man in uniform met us at the gate of the grim
place, and was about to set out with us when Hinge appeared, and,
without a word, took the lantern from his hand. As we made our way along
the dark and stony road, with the little circle of light dancing and
waving in front of us, Hinge stumbled agai