nd if it's my business to live, I have got to do that, I suppose.
You're the lucky one, Rivarez."

"Yes," the Gadfly assented laconically; "I was always lucky."

They smoked in silence for a few minutes, and then began to talk of
business details. When Gemma came up to call them to dinner, neither of
them betrayed in face or manner that their conversation had been in any
way unusual. After dinner they sat discussing plans and making necessary
arrangements till eleven o'clock, when Martini rose and took his hat.

"I will go home and fetch that riding-cloak of mine, Rivarez. I think
you will be less recognizable in it than in your light suit. I want to
reconnoitre a bit, too, and make sure there are no spies about before we
start."

"Are you coming with me to the barrier?"

"Yes; it's safer to have four eyes than two in case of anyone following
you. I'll be back by twelve. Be sure you don't start without me. I had
better take the key, Gemma, so as not to wake anyone by ringing."

She raised her eyes to his face as he took the keys. She understood that
he had invented a pretext in order to leave her alone with the Gadfly.

"You and I will talk to-morrow," she said. "We shall have time in the
morning, when my packing is finished."

"Oh, yes! Plenty of time. There are two or three little things I want
to ask you about, Rivarez; but we can talk them over on our way to the
barrier. You had better send Katie to bed, Gemma; and be as quiet as you
can, both of you. Good-bye till twelve, then."

He went away with a little nod and smile, banging the door after him to
let the neighbours hear that Signora Bolla's visitor was gone.

Gemma went out into the kitchen to say good-night to Katie, and came
back with black coffee on a tray.

"Would you like to lie down a bit?" she said. "You won't have any sleep
the rest of the night."

"Oh, dear no! I shall sleep at San Lorenzo while the men are getting my
disguise ready."

"Then have some coffee. Wait a minute; I will get you out the biscuits."

As she knelt down at the side-board he suddenly stooped over her
shoulder.

"Whatever have you got there? Chocolate creams and English toffee! Why,
this is l-luxury for a king!"

She looked up, smiling faintly at his enthusiastic tone.

"Are you fond of sweets? I always keep them for Cesare; he is a perfect
baby over any kind of lollipops."

"R-r-really? Well, you must get him s-some more to-morrow and give me
these to take wi