The cab was already at the door, and in a few minutes poor Don Paolo was placed in it.

The hood was raised, and Maria Luisa got in and sat supporting the drooping head upon her broad bosom.

Lucia took the little seat in front, and Gianbattista mounted to the box, after directing the four men to follow in a second cab as fast as they could, to help to carry the priest upstairs.

He sent another in search of a surgeon.
"Do not tell Sor Marzio--do not go to the workshop," he said in a last injunction.

He knew that Marzio would be of no use in such an emergency, and he hoped that Don Paolo might be pronounced out of danger before the chiseller knew anything of the accident.
In half an hour the injured man was lying in Gianbattista's bed.