"ASPETTO,"
he said, but he meant "Stop!" The driver understood that he meant
"Stop," and obeyed.
Benham wasted no time in parleying with the driver. He indicated to
him and to Amanda by a comprehensive gesture that he had business
with the landlord, and with a gleaming appetite upon his face went
running back towards the inn.
The landlord was sitting down to a little game of dominoes with his
friends when Benham reappeared in the sunlight of the doorway.
There was no misunderstanding Benham's expression.
For a moment the landlord was disposed to be defiant. Then he
changed his mind. Benham's earnest face was within a yard of his
own, and a threatening forefinger was almost touching his nose.
"Albergo cattivissimo," said Benham. "Cattivissimo! Pranzo
cattivissimo 'orrido. Cavallo cattivissimo, dangerousissimo. Gioco
abominablissimo, damnissimo. Capisce. Eh?" *
* This is vile Italian. It may--with a certain charity to Benham--
be rendered: "The beastliest inn! The beastliest! The beastliest,
most awful lunch! The vilest horse! Most dangerous! Abominable
trick! Understand?"
The landlord made deprecatory gestures.
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