andofmensuddenlyappearedroundthecorner,andErcolePiacentini'svoice,crying,—
'Whatisit?Whatisit?'
AndMatteo'sanswer,—
'Helpus,Ercole!Ihavekilledone.Checcoisstabbed.'
'Ah!'acryfromErcole,andwithhismenherushedintothefray.
Afewmorecries,stilltheflashofswords,thefallofheavybodiesonthestones.
'Theyaredonefor!'saidMatteo.
Theshouts,theclangofmetalwokeuptheneighbourslightswereseenatthewindows,andnight-cappedwomenappearedshriekingdoorswerethrownopen,andmencameoutintheirshirts,swordinhand.
'Whatisit?Whatisit?'
'Checco,areyouhurt?'askedMatteo.
'Nomycoatofmail!'
'ThankGodyouhaditon!Isawyoustagger.'
'Itwastheblow.AtfirstIdidnotknowwhetherIwashurtornot.'
'Whatisit?Whatisit?'
Theneighbourssurroundedus.
'TheyhavetriedtomurderChecco!Checcod'Orsi!'
'MyGod!Ishesafe?'
'Whohasdoneit?'
Alleyeswereturnedtothefourmen,eachonelyingheapedupontheground,withthebloodstreamingfromhiswounds.
'Theyaredead!'
'Footpads!'saidErcole'theywantedtorobyou,anddidnotknowyouwereaccompanied.'
'Footpads!Whyshouldfootpadsrobmethisnight?'saidChecco.'Iwishtheywerenotdead.'
'Look,look!'saidabystander,'thereisonemoving.'
Thewordswerehardlyoutoftheman'smouthbeforeoneofErcole'ssoldierssnatcheduphisdaggerandplungeditintheman'sneck,shouting,—
'Bestia!'
Atremorwentthroughtheprostratebody,andthenitwasquitestill.
'Youfool!'saidMatteo,angrily.'Whydidyoudothat?'
'Heisamurderer,'saidthesoldier.
'Youfool,wewantedhimalive,notdead.Wecouldhavefoundoutwhohiredhim.'
'Whatdoyoumean?'saidErcole.'Theyarecommonrobbers.'
'Hereistheguard,'criedsomeone.
Theguardcame,andimmediatelytherewasababelofexplanation.Thecaptainsteppedf