"Many times, Giovanni. But remember and control yourself. Presently the _carabinieri_ will come on board. You will see that all our luggage goes promptly to the Bristol, once we are through the customs." "Trust me, signore." They landed at the custom-house at two in the afternoon, and passed without any difficulty. Naples is the easiest port in the world, if you are not a native and you chance to be an uncommercial traveler who is willing to purchase salt and tobacco of the State. The Italian tobacco is generally bad, and formerly one had to smoke it or go without; but now the best of imported cigars may be found in all the large cities, cheaper in some respects than those in America, and not a whit inferior, since there is no middleman's profit, buying, as one does, direct from the State. The hotels, however, sell the same brands at an outrageous advance; the proprietor must have his commission, the concierge, the head-waiter, the waiters, the porters, and the chef, for this slight favor to the guest. Commission! It means something in sunny Italy. All this Hillard explained to Merrihew as they were awaiting the examination. Merrihew, holding grimly on to his hand-luggage, stood waiting for Hillard at the iron gates fronting the railroad. Suddenly a brilliantly uniformed man rushed up to him, bowed, and insisted on taking the luggage. Merrihew protested feebly. "But you are Meestaire Merrihoo, the friend of Meestaire Hil_lar_?" "Yes." "It is all right, then." The brilliant uniform prevailed, and Merrihew surrendered the luggage, marveling. Hillard seemed to know every one over here. "Beautiful weather," said the uniform, as they passed through the gates. "Fine," said Merrihew. From the corner of his eye he inspected the man at his side. Certainly he could be no less than a captain in the navy, with those epaulets and sleeve-bands. "This is your first trip to Italy?" "Yes. You people are very courteous here." "Oh, we make that a part of our business." A hundred cabmen yelled and shouted; but at a sign from Merrihew's new acquaintance they subsided or turned their attention elsewhere. This sign of respect made a still deeper impression on Merrihew. "I'll bet a dollar he's an admiral!" he thought. At length they came to an omnibus. The admiral beckoned to Merrihew to step in. The luggage was thrown on top. "I am very grateful to you," said Merrihew, offering his hand. The admiral shook it somewhat doubtfully, tipped his cap, and went hurriedly back to the _dogana_, or custom-house. Shortly after Hillard appeared. "We shan't go up in the omnibus," he said. "We'll take a carriage." Merrihew looked around in vain for his distinguished acquaintance. "What did you give the porter?" Hillard asked as they drove off. "Porter? I didn't see any porter." "Why, the chap who took your luggage from the customs."