"We also have been beaten!" they wailed, but they bore no outward and
visible signs of ill-treatment on them.
The elder boy turned upon them with righteous fury, and to their
unspeakable surprise began to drive them away with kicks and blows. They
could not stand against him, and after a brief resistance, they turned
and ran at full speed. The victor came back to Giovanni's side.
"They are cowardly fellows," he said, with disdain. "They are ignorant
boys. What do you expect? But they will not come back."
"Go on with your story," said Giovanni impatiently, "but speak low."
"It was on Sunday night, sir. The master came to talk with Zorzi in the
laboratory. I was in the garden, at the entrance of the other passage.
When the door opened there was not much light, and the master was
wrapped in his cloak, and he turned a little, and went in sideways, so
I knew that he had something under his arm, for the door is narrow."
"He was probably bringing over some valuable materials," said Giovanni.
"I believe he was bringing the great book," said the boy confidently,
but almost in a whisper.
"What great book?"
The lad looked at Giovanni with an expression of cunning on his face, as
much as to say that he was not to be deceived by such a transparent
pretence of ignorance.
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