step, Rico behind his companion; and the former entered a railroad
carriage for the first time.

They flew along for several hours, until at last the dealer stood up,
and said, "Now I must go. We are in Bergamo, and you are to stay here
quietly; for I have arranged it all for you. You have only to get out
when you get there."

"Then shall I be at Peschiera, on the Lake of Garda?" asked Rice.

His companion replied in the affirmative. At last Rico understood--what
he had not clearly seen before--how much kindness the dealer had shown
to him, and the boy felt very sorry that they must part.

After this Rico sat alone in his corner, and had plenty of time for
day-dreaming; for nobody troubled him in any way, although the train had
stopped at several stations since his companion left him.

At last the conductor came in, took Rico by the arm, and led him quickly
to the door, and lifted him down the steps; then, pointing towards the
heights in the distance, he said briefly, "Peschiera;" and in a
twinkling he was back again in the carriage, and disappeared in the
train as it steamed off.




CHAPTER XIII.

ON THE DISTANT, BEAUTIFUL LAKE.