between the players.

Suddenly there was a savage bark from Bruccio, like a cry of alarm. We
all sprang up, and Quastana rushed out of the door, returning an instant
afterwards and seizing his gun. With an exclamation of rage he darted
out of the door again and was gone. Matteo and I were looking at one
another in surprise, when a dozen armed men entered and called upon us
to surrender. And in less time than it takes to tell you we were on the
ground, bound, and prisoners. In vain I tried to make the gendarmes
understand who I was; they would not listen to me. "That's all right;
you will have an opportunity of making an explanation when we get to
Bastia."

[Illustration: "HE DARTED OUT OF THE DOOR AGAIN."]

They dragged us to our feet and drove us out with the butt-ends of their
carbines. Handcuffed, and pushed about by one and another, we reached
the bottom of the slope, where a prison-van was waiting for us--a vile
box, without ventilation and full of vermin--into which we were thrown
and driven to Bastia, escorted by gendarmes with drawn swords.

A nice position for a Government official!

III.

It was broad daylight when we reached Bastia. The Public Prosecutor, the
colonel of the gendarmes, and the governor of the prison were
impatiently awaiting us. I never saw a man look more astonished than the
corporal in charge of the escort, as, with a triumphant smile, he led me
to these gentlemen, and saw them hurry towards me with all sorts of
apologies, and take off the handcuffs.

"What! Is it _you_?" exclaimed the Public Prosecutor. "Have these idiots
really arrested _you_? But how did it come about--what is the meaning of
it?"

[Illustration: "EXPLANATIONS."]

Explanations followed. On the previous day the Public Prosecutor had
received a telegram from Porto-Vecchio, informing him of the presence of
Quastana in the locality, and giving precise details as to where and
when he could be found. The name of Porto-Vecchio opened my eyes; it was
that travelling companion of mine who had played me this shabby trick!
He was the Prosecutor's deputy.

"But, my dear sir," said the Public Prosecutor, "whoever would have
expected to see you in shooting costume in the house of the brigand's
cousin! We have given you rather a bad time of it, but I know you will
not bear malice, and you will prove it by coming to breakfast with me."
Then turning to the corporal, and pointing to Matteo, he said: "Take
this fellow away; w