anxious to conceal himself.

"What can this mean?" thought our mendicant. "Is yon eavesdropper
one of death's unlicensed ministers? Has he received the retaining
fee of some impatient heir, who pants to possess the wealth of the
unlucky knave who comes strolling along yonder, so careless and
unconscious? Be not so confident, honest friend! I'm at your
elbow."

He retired further into the shade, and silently and slowly drew near
the lurker, who stirred not from his place. The stranger had
already passed them by, when the concealed villain sprang suddenly
upon him, raised his right hand in which a poniard was gleaming, and
before he could give the blow, was felled to the earth by the arm of
the mendicant.

The stranger turned hastily towards them; the bravo started up and
fled; the beggar smiled.

"How now?" cried the stranger; "what does all this mean?"

"Oh, 'tis a mere jest, signor, which has only preserved your life."

"What? my life? How so?"

"The honest gentleman who has just taken to his heels stole behind
you with true cat-like caution, and had already raised his dagger,
when I saw him. You owe your life to me, and the service is richly
worth one little piece of money! Give me some alms, signor, for on
my soul I am hungry, thirsty, cold."