Oh Agostino! do remember what I have done for you, and let me have the beautiful, shining things." "Yes, you have been both brave and faithful, Chiquita, I admit; but we have not got the wonderful necklace yet, you know.

Now, tell me, how many men were there in the party." "Oh! a great many.

A big, tall man with a long beard; an old, fat man--one that looked like a fox--two thin men, and one that looked like a gentleman, though his clothes were very old and shabby." "Six men," said Agostino, who had counted them on his fingers as she enumerated them, and his face fell.

"Alas! I am the only one left of our brave band now; when the others were with me we would not have minded double the number.

Have they arms, Chiquita ?" "The gentleman has a sword, and so has the tall, thin man--a very long one." "No pistols or guns ?" "I didn't see any," answered Chiquita, "but they might have left them in the chariot, you know; only Maitre Chirriguirri or Mionnette would have been sure to send you word if they had, and they said nothing to me about them." "Well, we will risk it then, and see what we can do," said Agostino resolutely.