The bolts were drawn back--a chain fell heavily on the stone floor inside--and the door opened, revealing the form of an old and venerable-looking man, with a long white beard. He held a lamp in his hand: and, by its fitful glare, his countenance, of the Jewish cast, manifested an expression denoting the terror which he vainly endeavored to conceal. "Enter. Signor Stephano," said the old man. "But wherefore here so late?" "Late, do ye call it. Signor Isaachar?" ejaculated the bandit, crossing the threshold. "Meseems there is yet time to do a world of business this night, for those who have the opportunity and the inclination." "Ah! but you and yours turn night into day," replied the Jew, with a chuckle intended to be of a conciliatory nature: "or rather you perform your avocations at a time when others sleep." "Every one to his calling, friend Isaachar," said the brigand chief. "Come! have you not made that door fast enough yet? you will have to open it soon again--for my visit will be none of the longest." The Jew having replaced the chains and fastened the huge bolts which protected the house-door, took up the lamp and led the way to a small and meanly-furnished room at the back of his dwelling. "What business may have brought you hither to-night, good Captain Verrina?" he inquired in a tone of ill-subdued apprehension. "Not to frighten thee out of thy wits, good Isaachar," responded Stephano, laughing. "Ah! ha!" exclaimed the Jew, partially reassured: "perhaps you have come to repay me the few crowns I had the honor to lend you--without security, and without interest----" "By my patron saint! thou wast never more mistaken in thy life, friend Isaachar!" interrupted the robber chief. "The few crowns you speak of, were neither more nor less than a tribute paid on consideration that my men should leave unscathed the dwelling of worthy Isaachar ben Solomon: in other words, that thy treasures should be safe at least from them." "Well--well! be it so!" cried the Jew. "Heaven knows I do not grudge the amount in question--although," he added slowly, "I am compelled to pay almost an equal sum to the syndic." "The syndic of Alla Croce and the captain of the banditti are two very different persons," returned Stephano. "The magistrate protects you from those over whom he has control: and I, on my side, guaranty you against the predatory visits of those over whom I exercise command. But let us to business." "Ay--to business!" echoed the Jew, anxious to be relieved from the state of suspense into which this visit had thrown him. "You are acquainted with the young, beautiful, and wealthy Countess of Arestino, Isaachar?" said the bandit. The Jew stared at him in increased alarm, now mingled with amazement.