No one will know that I have asked, for the man will not tell." "Are you sure?
What did you say to him?
Tell me." "I said to him, 'Don Gennaro, I am the Conte di San Miniato's sailor.
Has the Conte sent any telegram this morning, to any one, anywhere ?' Then he shook his head; but he looked into his book and said, 'He sent one to Florence at nine o'clock.' Then I said, 'I thank you, Don Gennaro, and I will do you a service when I can.' That was for good manners.

Then I said, 'Don Gennaro, please not to tell any one that I asked the question, and if you tell any one I will make you die an evil death, for I will break all your bones and moreover drown you in the sea, and go to the galleys very gladly.' Then Don Gennaro said that he would not tell.

And here I am, Excellency." In spite of all she was suffering, Beatrice laughed at Ruggiero's account of the interview.

It was quite evident that Ruggiero had repeated accurately every word that had been spoken, and he looked the man to execute the threat without the slightest hesitation.

Beatrice wondered how the telegraph official had taken it.
"What did Don Gennaro do when you frightened him, Ruggiero ?" she asked.
"He said he would not tell and got a little white, Excellency.