to pay back a few of them,--and here I am still, like the mackerel in
our nursery-book (I forget its name), 'Alive and kicking, oh!' This
is my last kick, though; and then, to-morrow morning, and--'Finita la
Commedia!' You and I will translate that: 'The variety show is over';
and will give thanks to the gods that they have had, at least, so much
mercy on us. It is not much, but it is something; and for this and all
other blessings may we be truly thankful!

"About that same to-morrow morning, I want both you and Martini to
understand clearly that I am quite happy and satisfied, and could ask no
better thing of Fate. Tell that to Martini as a message from me; he is a
good fellow and a good comrade, and he will understand. You see, dear,
I know that the stick-in-the-mud people are doing us a good turn and
themselves a bad one by going back to secret trials and executions so
soon, and I know that if you who are left stand together steadily and
hit hard, you will see great things. As for me, I shall go out into
the courtyard with as light a heart as any child starting home for the
holidays. I have done my share of the work, and this death-sentence is
the proof that I have done it thoroughly. They kill me because they are
afraid of me; and what more can any man's heart desire?

"It desires just one thing more, though. A man who is going to die has
a right to a personal fancy, and mine is that you should see why I have
always been such a sulky brute to you, and so slow to forget old scores.
Of course, though, you understand why, and I tell you only for the
pleasure of writing the words. I loved you, Gemma, when you were an ugly
little girl in a gingham frock, with a scratchy tucker and your hair in
a pig-tail down your back; and I love you still. Do you remember that
day when I kissed your hand, and when you so piteously begged me 'never
to do that again'? It was a scoundrelly trick to play, I know; but you
must forgive that; and now I kiss the paper where I have written your
name. So I have kissed you twice, and both times without your consent.

"That is all. Good-bye, my dear."

There was no signature, but a verse which they had learned together as
children was written under the letter:

"Then am I
A happy fly,
If I live
Or if I die."

*****

Half an hour later Martini entered the room, and, startled out of the
silence of half a life-time,