If you soak yourself in drink and fail in your blow, and I am not ready with the poisoned stiletto the thing won't come off neatly.

But why did not the Roman let his chariot wait ?" "Aye! why did he let it go away ?" asked the other staring open-mouthed in the direction where the sound of wheels was still to be heard.

His companion mean while laid his hand to his ear, and listened.

Both were silent for a few minutes, then the thin one said: "The chariot has stopped at the first tavern.

So much the better.