At any rate, they are disbanded, and with these sort of fellows, where there is no union there is no danger." "And Neri's sentence ?" I asked.
"Oh, the galleys for life of course; there is no possible alternative." I thanked my informant, and left the office.

I was glad to have learned these few particulars, for the treasure I had discovered in my own family vault was now more mine than ever.

There was not the remotest chance of any one of the Neri band venturing so close to Naples in search of it, and I thought with a grim smile that had the brigand chief himself known the story of my wrongs, he would most probably have rejoiced to think that his buried wealth was destined to aid me in carrying out so elaborate a plan of vengeance.

All difficulties smoothed themselves before me--obstacles were taken out of my path--my way was made perfectly clear--each trifling incident was a new finger-post pointing out the direct road that led me to the one desired end.

God himself seemed on my side, as He is surely ever on the side of justice! Let not the unfaithful think that because they say long prayers or go regularly and devoutly to church with meek faces and piously folded hands that the Eternal Wisdom is deceived thereby.