'Aha! You take me for a thief, blackguard that you are!' I said, and I gave him a hearty kick, you know where.

Then feeling rather better, I went on, 'When are you to take the money to the spot mentioned in the letter ?' 'This very day.' 'Very good, then take it there!' It was at the foot of a pine-tree, and the place had been exactly described.

He brought the money, buried it at the foot of the tree, and came and joined me.

I had hidden myself close by.

There I stayed, with my man, for six mortal hours, M.della Rebbia.