"'We do not know yet, but it appears we have been traced from Chianciano to the Osteria Barberini. They only lost the scent behind Mount Gennaro. My dear Rina, I fear we must give up our visit to the theatre to-morrow.' "'But not our dinner to-day, captain, I hope,' said I. "'Here is your answer,' said the captain, as the door opened, and a servant announced that the soup was on the table. "The captain and lieutenant dined each with a brace of pistols beside his plate, and in the anteroom I saw two men armed with carbines. The repast was a silent one; I did not dine comfortably myself, for I had a sort of feeling that the catastrophe was approaching, and that made me uneasy. "'You will excuse me for leaving you,' said the captain, when dinner was over; 'but I must go and take measures for our safety. I would advise you not to undress, M. Louet, for we may have to make a sudden move, and it is well to be ready.' "The lieutenant conducted me to my apartment, and wished me good-night with great politeness. As he left the room, however, I heard that he double-locked the door. I had nothing better to do than to throw myself on my bed, which I did; but for some hours I found it impossible to sleep, on account of the anxieties and unpleasant thoughts that tormented me. At last I fell into a troubled slumber. "I do not know how long it had lasted, when I was awakened by being roughly shaken. "'Subito! subito!' cried a voice. "'What is the matter?' said I, sitting up on the bed. "'_Non capisco, seguir me_!' cried the bandit. "'And where am I to _seguir_ you?' said I, understanding that he told me to follow him. "'Avanti! Avanti!' "'May I take my bass?' I asked. "The man made sign in the affirmative, so I put my beloved instrument on my back, and told him I was ready to follow him. He led me through several corridors and down a staircase; then, opening a door, we found ourselves in the park. Day was beginning to dawn. After many turnings and windings, we entered a copse or thicket, in the depths of which was the opening of a sort of grotto, where one of the robbers was standing sentry. They pushed me into this grotto. It was very dark, and I was groping about with extended arms, when somebody grasped my hand. I was on the point of crying out; but the hand that held mine was too soft to be that of a brigand. "'M. Louet!' said a whispering voice, which I at once recognized. "'What is the meaning of all this, Mademoiselle?' asked I, in the same tone. "'The meaning is, that they are surrounded by a regiment, and Ernest is at the head of it.' "'But why are we put into this grotto?' "'Because it is the most retired place in the whole park, and consequently the one least likely to be discovered. Besides there is a door in it, which communicates probably with some subterraneous passage leading into the open country.' "Just then we heard a musket shot. "'Bravo!' cried Zephyrine; 'it is beginning.'