o land; but, by the time it was
dark, a boat was ready, and it was seen making its way to the common
stairs, where one or two of the regular officials were ready to
receive it.

It is unnecessary to dwell on the forms of the pratique officers. These
troublesome persons had their lanterns, and were vigilant in examining
papers, as is customary; but it would seem the mariner in the boat had
everything _en regle_, for he was soon suffered to land. At this
instant, Ghita passed near the group, and took a close and keen survey
of the stranger's form and face, her own person being so enveloped in a
mantle as to render a recognition of it difficult, if not impossible.
The girl seemed satisfied with this scrutiny, for she immediately
disappeared. Not so with 'Maso, who by this time had hurried round from
the felucca, and was at the stairs in season to say a word to
the stranger.

"Signore," said the pilot, "his Eccellenza, the podesta, has bidden me
say to you that he expects the honor of your company at his house, which
stands so near us, hard by here, in the principle street, as will make
it only a pleasure to go there; I know he would be disappointed, if he
failed of the happiness of seeing you."

"His Excellenza is a man not to be disappointed," returned the stranger,
in very good Italian, "and five minutes shall prove to him how eager I
am to salute him"; then turning to the crew of his boat, he ordered them
to return on board the lugger, and not to fail to look out for the
signal by which he might call them ashore.

'Maso, as he led the way to the dwelling of Vito Viti, would fain ask a
few questions, in the hope of appeasing certain doubts that beset him.

"Since when, Signor Capitano," he inquired, "have you English taken to
sailing luggers? It is a novel rig for one of your craft."

"Corpo di Bacco!" answered the other, laughing, "friend of mine, if you
can tell the precise day when brandy and laces were first smuggled from
France into my country, I will answer your question. I think you have
never navigated as far north as the Bay of Biscay and our English
Channel, or you would know that a Guernsey-man is better acquainted with
the rig of a lugger than with that of a ship."

"Guernsey is a country I never heard of," answered 'Maso simply; "is it
like Holland--or more like Lisbon?"

"Very little of either. Guernsey is a country that was once French, and
where many of the people still speak the French language,