FRENCH'S HOTEL Pietro had one of those mean and malignant natures that are best pleased when they are instrumental in bringing others into trouble.

He looked forward to becoming a padrone himself some time, and seemed admirably fitted by nature to exercise the inhuman office.

He lost no time, on his return, in making known to his uncle what he had learned.
For the boys to appropriate to their own use money which had been received for their services was, in the eyes of the padrone, a crime of the darkest shade.

In fact, if the example were generally followed, it would have made a large diminution of his income, though the boys might have been benefited.

He listened to Pietro with an ominous scowl, and decided to inflict condign punishment upon the young offenders.
Meanwhile Phil and Giacomo resumed their wanderings.