ts, especially to be
regretted in one of his profession, where, added the turnkey proudly,
one needs morality, reason, and vigilance especially, to unravel the
plots of the prisoners confided to him, and to triumph over their
detestable _mania for liberty_.

When Pietro on that evening, palpitating as he was with fear, saw
Monte-Leone, whom he waited for at the postern of the castle, return,
his joy was so great that he was ready to clasp the Count's neck. The
latter was not much flattered by his transports.

"Well," said the head-jailer, "you are a noble and true gentleman. A
scoundrel in your place would have escaped, and put his keeper in
trouble. You are of a good race, of a noble and generous blood, you have
paid me well, and have been unwilling to hang the father of a family.
Now," added he, "do not let us talk together, or even look at each
other. Our looks may be watched and interpreted."

From that time Pietro became more brutal, more savage and stern than
ever. The visit of the minister of police justly enough increased the
terror of the jailer. He had from public rumor heard of the terrible
episode at _Torre-del-Greco_, though he did not precisely understand the
motives of the prisoner. He was aware that he had become an accomplice
of his crime, and shuddered more and more at its probable results.
Whenever, therefore, the Count sought to ask him any question, Pietro
exhibited such terror, and his countenance was so complete a picture of
fright, that Monte-Leone at last ceased to speak to him. No news from
without, nothing enlightened the Count in relation to the consequences
of his daring conduct, and for the first time he despaired of the
result. One morning his door opened as usual at meal time; but instead
of withdrawing, the keeper approached Monte-Leone kindly, his ugly face,
on account of the complaisance which lit it up, seeming yet more horrid.
He said:

"Excellence, the great day approaches, and we must arrange some little
details about which the High Court will no doubt be ill-mannerly enough
to question us!"

"You can speak then," replied Monte-Leone, with surprise.

"To-day is not yesterday. Then and ever since your escape, my gossip,
the Headsman, who lives up there as you know, distrusts me. I learn from
his assistant, who is a friend of mine, that the story of the cell
undermined by the sea has made him fancy I wish to deprive him of his
perquisites. I know that while he waters his flowe