He followed the Marquis to the inn, which reached, the latter ran immediately to his own room. Giacinto concluded to await René's exit before carrying out his own plan, namely to hide in the apartment next to Volpetti's and which had been that of the Irish guests. Just as he was about to realize this scheme, the Marquis stepped in before him. For fifteen years he had awaited this moment of revenge. He had entered the ranks of the Knights of Liberty, the nucleus of the Carbonari, for the sole purpose of wreaking vengeance on his countryman. A formidable power was back of him, transforming him from an ordinary homicide into the avenger of a cause. And now he was being cheated out of his due by this unforeseen complication. He stood in the passage a half hour waiting for the Marquis to come forth. At last he went down to supper and Kate hurried to wait upon him. She marveled at his abstraction and tried coquettishly to rouse him. "Have you seen a black cat's shadow?" she asked, alluding to a local superstition. Giacinto abstractedly caressed her coarse hand. "Tell me," he said, "does the French gentleman leave tonight? I mean the one who first arrived." "What business is that of yours?" she asked, annoyed at her lover's coldness. "Because," said the Sicilian in a passionate tone, "if he goes I must leave you, my darling, for we sail together." "He leaves tonight and the other also, No. 10. But, if you prefer to stay, other vessels will leave tomorrow." Giacinto gazed into her eyes with promise. Then, dashing off the Chianti, he ran to his room, smiling at the credulity of servant maids. He threw on his cloak, tied a sash around his waist, into which he thrust a pair of pistols, grasped a thick stick, glided out of the hotel and was soon lost in the mist. Chapter V THE CREAKING BOOTS