The cabman, the magistrate, the guarde and the interpreter put their heads together and chattered voluble Italian--all speaking at once in excited tones--while Uncle John continued to warn them at the top of his lungs that their country was doomed to sudden annihilation and they were the culprits responsible for the coming calamity.
As a result they bundled the irate American into the carriage again and drove him poste haste back to the museum, where they deposited him upon the steps.

Then in a flash the guarde and the cabman disappeared from sight and were seen no more.
The victor smiled proudly as his nieces rushed toward him.
"Did you have to pay another lira, Uncle ?" asked Patsy, anxiously.
"Not on your life, my dear," mopping his brow vigorously.

"They're a lot of cutthroats and assassins--policemen, magistrates and all--but when the eagle screams they're wise enough to duck." The girls laughed.
"And did the eagle scream, then ?" Patsy enquired.
"Just a little, my dear; but if it whispered it would sound mighty loud in this mummified old world.

But we've lost enough time for one day.
Come; let's go see 'Narcissus' and the 'Dancing Faun.'".