Fortunately it was fine overhead, and the season was a favourable one.  The sun had already attained some height in the sky, and could shine with power at midday, for February was well advanced by this time.  But the cold at nights was intense, and the state of the roads often made travelling difficult for the horses.  The mountain torrents were swelled to brawling rivers, and the ordinary bridges broken down, so that the travellers had much ado to get across them.

It seemed a savage country to Tom, although the excitement and peril made travelling a delight.  Moreover, the people were kind and friendly, although they spoke such a barbarous patois that it was difficult to hold communication with them.

At last they reached the sheltered little valley of which Tom had heard, and here they found friends of a kind; for at the little inn Lord Claud was remembered and hailed with joy.  He had plainly won the affections of the simple folks whilst lying there sick, and they were ready and willing to give the travellers of their best, and furnish them with guides for the passage of the mountain range, which seemed now to tower above their heads into the clouds.

Travellers and horses were alike pretty well worn out by this time, and the thought of spending a few days in this hospitable valley was grateful even to Tom’s stalwart frame.  As for the horses, they testified their satisfaction in many ways.  They even made friends with the goatherd who was told off to attend to them, and attempted none of their tricks upon him; which was a source of considerable satisfaction to Tom, who had been afraid the people might decline to be left alone with such charges.

After seeing them safely stabled, bedded, and fed, Tom was glad enough of a good meal himself; after which he retired to bed, and slept for hard upon thirty-six hours, as he found to his amaze upon awakening.  And, indeed, it was small wonder that he did so; for he had not been used to such strenuous exercise so constantly continued, nor to the clear, bracing air of the mountains.

He woke as hungry as a hunter; and it was only after he had satisfied the cravings of nature that he had time to observe the thoughtful shadow which had gathered upon the face of his comrade.

“Is aught amiss?” he asked presently, leaning his elbows on the table, and heaving a sigh of satisfaction.

“Well, Tom, that is as you like to think it; but what I feared might be the case has come to pass.  We shall not reach the plains of Italy without being sore beset by danger.”

Tom’s eyes flashed keenly under their dark brows.

“What have you learned, my lord?”