ungry," he said fiercely. "You don't know what that means, do
you?"

"Signer Rivarez," interposed Gemma, coming forward, "my lodgings are
quite close. Let us take the child in there. Then, if you cannot find a
vettura, I will manage to put it up for the night."

He turned round quickly. "You don't mind?"

"Of course not. Good-night, Mme. Reni!"

The gipsy, with a stiff bow and an angry shrug of her shoulders, took
her officer's arm again, and, gathering up the train of her dress, swept
past them to the contested carriage.

"I will send it back to fetch you and the child, if you like, M.
Rivarez," she said, pausing on the doorstep.

"Very well; I will give the address." He came out on to the pavement,
gave the address to the driver, and walked back to Gemma with his
burden.

Katie was waiting up for her mistress; and, on hearing what had
happened, ran for warm water and other necessaries. Placing the child on
a chair, the Gadfly knelt down beside him, and, deftly slipping off
the ragged clothing, bathed and bandaged the wound with tender, skilful
hands. He had just finished washing the boy, and was wrapping him in a
warm blanket, when Gemma came in with a tray in her hands.

"Is your patient ready for his supper?" she asked, smiling at the
strange little figure. "I have been cooking it for him."

The Gadfly stood up and rolled the dirty rags together. "I'm afraid we
have made a terrible mess in your room," he said. "As for these, they
had better go straight into the fire, and I will buy him some new
clothes to-morrow. Have you any brandy in the house, signora? I think
he ought to have a little. I will just wash my hands, if you will allow
me."

When the child had finished his supper, he immediately went to sleep in
the Gadfly's arms, with his rough head against the white shirt-front.
Gemma, who had been helping Katie to set the disordered room tidy again,
sat down at the table.

"Signor Rivarez, you must take something before you go home--you had
hardly any dinner, and it's very late."

"I should like a cup of tea in the English fashion, if you have it. I'm
sorry to keep you up so late."

"Oh! that doesn't matter. Put the child down on the sofa; he will tire
you. Wait a minute; I will just lay a sheet over the cushions. What are
you going to do with him?"

"To-morrow? Find out whether he has any other relations except that
drunken brute; and if not, I suppose I must follow Mme. Reni's advice,
and take