"Aha! that means that you have another for the sunlight? Pardieu! you are wise, for this one is very well known. Those persons who have had dealings with you have not failed to draw your portrait. I have already heard of this olive-green robe de chambre, so to speak, and of this horrible hairy cap." "In that case, signor, you will understand that it is time for me to disappear." "Very well! go! what prevents you? You have been too courteous to me for me to seek to cause your arrest. No, no! that would be a downright felony on my part!" "In that case, signor, add to your complaisance the favor of handing me your purse, and I will go at once." "My purse!" rejoined Léodgard, with a slight contraction of his heavy eyebrows; "you shall not have it! I told you that I would keep it. But as I do not wish to have made you talk for nothing, I will give you two pretty rose crowns." "No, my young gentleman; I cannot assent to that bargain; I have told you that I must have your purse just as it is, and have it I will!" "Come, then, and take it!" As he spoke, Léodgard sprang to his feet and quickly drew his sword; then he glanced at Giovanni as if to defy him. The Italian did not show the slightest excitement, but simply shook his head, murmuring: "Oh! I knew that the young Comte Léodgard de Marvejols was a gallant youth!" "Ah! you know me, do you?" "Per Dio! Do I not always know those whom I address? Otherwise I should run the risk of wasting my time by attacking poor devils without a sou!" "But you might often have found me in that condition." "I know that too; but to-night you played lansquenet at the Sire de Jarnonville's, and luck smiled upon you; that is why I attacked you." "Clearly, you add to your other talents that of being a sorcerer. All Italians smell of the stake!" "I should regret extremely, signor, to resort to my weapons; surely you must have been told that that is not my habit! I must always be driven to it. But if you do not give up your purse with a good grace----" "No, a thousand times no! Do you expect to frighten me, I wonder?" Giovanni gave the young count hardly time to finish his sentence; he drew his broad sword, and, leaping upon his adversary with a rapidity and address which left him no time to attack, in a few seconds he had sent Léodgard's gleaming rapier flying through the air; and placing the point of his weapon against the young nobleman's breast, with his left hand he swiftly took the purse from his belt, saying, with a slight movement of the head: "You see, my young gentleman, it was not worth while to go through so many forms!" And in an instant the brigand had vanished. As for Léodgard, thoroughly ashamed of his discomfiture, he stood as if stupefied, and could only mutter: "Beaten! beaten by that Giovanni!--Ah! I will have my revenge!" III THE BATH KEEPERS