“’Very good; but I will select the individual, or else you will be making a bad choice again.’

“‘As your excellency pleases.’

“The sbirro folded his arms in a most dignified manner, and leaned his back against a post; the lazzarone stretched himself on the pavement at his feet.  A priest came by, then a lawyer, then a poet; but the sbirro made no sign.  At last there appeared a young officer, dressed in brilliant uniform, who passed gaily along, humming between his teeth a tune out of the last opera.  The sbirro gave the signal.  Up sprang the lazzarone and followed the officer.  Both disappeared round a corner.  Presently the lazzarone returned with his ransom in his hand.

“‘What have you got there?’ said the sbirro.

“‘A handkerchief,’ replied the other.

“‘Is that all?’

“‘That all!  It is of the finest cambric.’

“’Had he only one?’[11]

    [11] At Naples, it is customary to carry two handkerchiefs, one of
    silk, and the other of cambric; the latter being used to wipe the
    forehead.

“‘Only one in that pocket.’

“‘And in the other?’

“‘In the other he had a silk handkerchief.’

“‘Why didn’t you bring it?’

“’I keep that for myself, excellency.  It is fair that we should divide the profits.  One pocket for you, the other for me.’

“‘I have a right to both, and I must have the silk handkerchief.’

“’But, your excelleilcy’——­

“‘I must have the silk handkerchief.’

“‘It is an injustice.’

“‘Ha!  Do you dare speak ill of his majesty’s sbirri?  Come along to prison.’

“‘You shall have the silk handkerchief, your excellency.’

“‘How will you find the officer again?’

“’He is gone to pay a visit in the Strada de Foria.  I will go and wait for him at the door.’

“The lazzarone walked away, turned the corner of the street, and established himself in the recess of a doorway.  Presently the young officer came out of a house opposite, and before he had gone ten paces, put his hand in his pocket, and found he was minus a handkerchief.

“‘Pardon me, excellency,’ said the lazzarone, stepping up to him; ’you have lost something, I think?’

“‘I have lost a cambric handkerchief.’

“‘Your excellency has not lost it; it has been stolen from him.’

“‘And who stole it?’

“‘What will your excellency give me if I find him the thief?’

“‘I will give you a piastre.’

“‘I must have two.’

“‘You shall.  Hallo!  What are you doing?’

“‘I am stealing your silk handkerchief.’

“‘In order to find my cambric one?’

“‘Yes.’

“‘And where will both of them be?’

“’In the same pocket.  The person to whom I shall give this handkerchief is the same to whom I have already given the other.  Follow me, and observe what I do.’