But he will say nothing, and will not complain to the syndic, because he knows my brother." "What has that to do with it ?" asked Beatrice with some curiosity.
"It is natural, Excellency.

For if Don Gennaro went to the syndic and said, 'Signor Sindaco, Ruggiero of the Children of the King has threatened to kill me,' then the syndic would send for the gendarmes and say, 'Take that Ruggiero of the Children of the King and put him in, as we say, and see that he does not run away, for he will do a hurt to somebody.' And perhaps they would catch me and perhaps they would not.
Then Bastianello, my brother, would wait in the road in the evening for Don Gennaro, and would lay a hand on him, perhaps, or both.

And I think that Don Gennaro would rather be dead in his telegraph office than alive in Bastianello's hands, because Bastianello is very strong in his hands, Excellency.

And that is all the truth." "But I do not understand it all, Ruggiero, though I see what you mean.

I am afraid it is your language that is different from mine." "It is natural, Excellency," answered the sailor, a deep blush spreading over his white forehead as he stood bareheaded before her.