You see--" his glance rested entirely on Mr.Wilder; he studiously overlooked Constance's presence--"this Angelo Fresi, the fellow they are after, got into a quarrel over a gambling debt and struck a superior officer.

To avoid being court-martialed he lit out; it happened a month ago in Milan and they've been looking for him ever since.

Now last night I had the misfortune to tip Lieutenant Carlo di Ferara over into a ditch.

The matter was entirely accidental and I regretted it very much.

I, of course, apologized.