Hymbercourt left us, and soon we saw him in whispered conversation with the duke.

Soon after Hymbercourt had gone to the ducal throne, Calli, with two Italians, stopped four paces from where we were standing.

He gazed insolently at Max, and said in Italian to his companions:-- "There is the loutish outlander, who boasted before the duke that he would fight me.

He is a big callow fellow, and it would be a shame to stick the swine." Max, who understood the Italian language sufficiently to grasp Calli's meaning, flushed angrily, but I touched his arm and he turned his back upon the fellow.

Then I spoke in tones that Calli could not fail to hear:-- "Never turn your face from a cowardly foe, Max.