Vincenzo paused. "Well," I said, "what happened next?"
"Eccellenza, I could not leave him there without aid. I drew my cloak well up to my mouth and pulled my hat down over my eyes so that he could not recognize me. Then I took water from the fountain close by and dashed it on his face. He soon came to himself, and, taking me for a stranger, thanked me for my assistance, saying that he had a sudden shock. He then drank greedily from the fountain and went on his way."
"You followed?"
"Yes, eccellenza--at a little distance. He next visited a common tavern in one of the back streets of the city and came out with two men. They were well dressed--they had the air of gentlemen spoiled by bad fortune. The signor talked with them for some time--he seemed much excited. I could not hear what they said except at the end, when these two strangers consented to appear as seconds for Signor Ferrari, and they at once left him, to come straight to this hotel. And they are arrived, for I saw them through a half-opened door as I came in, talking with the Marquis D'Avencourt."
"Well!" I said, "and what of Signor Ferrari when he was left alone by his two friends?"
"There is not much more to tell, eccellenza. He went up the little hill to his own studio, and I noticed that he walked like a very old man with his head bent. Once he stopped and shook his fist in the air as though threatening some one. He let himself in at his door with a private key--and I saw him no more. I felt that he would not come out again for some time. And as I moved away to return here, I heard a sound as of terrible weeping."
"And that is all, Vincenzo?"
"That is all, eccellenza."
I was silent. There was something in the simple narration that touched me, though I remained as determinately relentless as ever. After a few moments I said: "You have done well, Vincenzo. You are aware how grossly this young man has insulted me--and that his injurious treatment can only be wiped out in one way. That way is already arranged. You can set out those pistols you cleaned."
Vincenzo obeyed--but as he lifted the heavy case of weapons and set them on the table, he ventured to remark, timidly: "The eccellenza knows it is now Christmas-day?"
"I am quite aware of the fact," I said somewhat frigidly.