THE WISDOM OF FATHER BROWN
Italian gentleman has led the way. You wouldn't have it said that the English hung back."
"It is useless," said the older man, who was trembling violently, "it is useless. We must submit to our lot."
Father Brown looked at the banker; then he put his hand instinctively as if on his heart, but really on the little bottle of poison; and a great light came into his face like the light of the revelation of death.
Muscari meanwhile, without waiting for support, had crested the bank up to the road, and struck the brigand king heavily on the shoulder, causing him to stagger and swing round. Montano also had his cutlass unsheathed, and Muscari, without further speech, sent a slash at his head which he was compelled to catch and parry. But even as the two short blades crossed and clashed the King of Thieves deliberately dropped his point and laughed.
"What's the good, old man?" he said in spirited Italian slang; "this damned farce will soon be over."
"What do you mean, you shuffler?" panted the fire-eating poet. "Is your courage a sham as well as your honesty?"
"Everything about me is a sham," responded the ex-courier in complete good-humour. "I am an actor; and if I ever had a private character, I
50
