"_Diavolo!_ Where have you been hiding, Bandini? I need your aid," exclaimed the cavaliere, as he entered. "All is ruined, if still stronger measures be not taken. My grand expedition of last night, which might have secured all at a blow, has utterly failed, through the interference of a rash young fool, who has twice crossed my path to baffle me. I myself am wounded,"--and he pointed to a bandage, partly concealed by a scarf thrown over his shoulder--"still confused, from a blow dealt upon my head by some meddling ruffian. The curses of hell blight their arms, one and all! Those traitors, too, the Hungarians, have broken every promise, to shout _Vivat!_ to that woman; because she shed before them a few maudlin tears. Weak fools! weak fools! and that they call enthusiasm! They promise her supplies of men and money. My schemes are ruined--my services all naught--your hopes of reward utterly gone, Master Bandini--utterly gone, do you hear?--if some great _coup-de-main_ be not yet tried. There! look not so pale and frightened, man, with that ugly wo-begone face of yours. There are yet means that may be used." "But we are lost--lost!" stammered the Jew, shaking in every limb, and struggling in vain to speak. "Lost! Not yet!" replied the Italian scornfully "whilst I have yet a head to scheme, and a bold heart to execute." "We are lost, I tell you. All is discovered. We are betrayed!" cried the Jew. "That young fellow--in yonder room--alas! he knows all. We must fly--conceal ourselves." "How now, man?" exclaimed the cavaliere, in his turn springing up in alarm. "I had driven him from the house, at your desire," stammered Bandini, panting for breath; "but he returned to seek his baggage. They had both been absent, master and man; and I had thought to look after my own poor goods and chattels in the room"-- "Or to that which you could lay your hands upon, old thief--I know you. But proceed! What means this tale?" said the spy. "Jehovah knows you speak not true!" continued the Jew. "But they came back suddenly and unawares. I feared they might think evil of me, if they found me there; and I concealed myself in the closet. I heard all!" "All!--all what? Speak, man!" exclaimed the Italian furiously. "He is the same--the same of whom you spoke just now," pursued the old man, trembling. "He who wounded you last night. He recognised you as you entered. He knows all. He is gone up to the castle to betray us. Oh! I am a lost man--a lost man!" and the Jew wrung his hands bitterly. "Betrayed!" cried the spy--"gone, to the castle! Ten thousand devils drag him down to hell! Which way did he go? What did you hear? Speak, man!--speak, I tell you." And he shook the old man violently by the collar. "He will probably mount to it by the shorter ascent, along the Jews' street," gasped forth Bandini with difficulty. "And is there no quicker way?" exclaimed the Italian hurriedly.