THE GRAVE OF ALARIC It would have been prudent to consult with my driver as to the inns of Cosenza.

But, with a pardonable desire not to seem helpless in his hands, I had from the first directed him to the _Due Lionetti_, relying upon my guide-book.

Even at Cosenza there is progress, and guide-books to little-known parts of Europe are easily allowed to fall out of date.
On my arrival---- But, first of all, the _dazio_.

This time it was a serious business; impossible to convince the rather surly officer that certain of the contents of my portmanteau were not for sale.

What in the world was I doing with _tanti libri_?
Of course I was a commercial traveller; ridiculous to pretend anything else.