Mezzoni the Brigand — page 76: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

68 MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. his class, as he saw the gold, and after a moment of hesitation, he said: ‘‘Give me the gold and you may look for your bird. But be quick about it—we do not admit people here.”’ The old woman hobbled in and followed Beppo to the rear of the palace. ‘“You see it’s no use,”’ he said. ‘‘He’s lost! he’s lost!’’ cried the old woman, look- ing minutely all about her. The rear yard was nar- row, and she kicked about the dirt. “What are you turning up the dirt for?’’ asked the servant. ‘‘You don’t suppose he’s buried in the ground, do you?”’ ‘‘No, no,’’ she answered, but still examining every crack and corner. ‘‘He’s lost! he’s lost!’’ ‘Well, you have looked long enough,”’ said Beppo. ‘“Come, I don’t want my master to see you.”’ ‘“Doesn’t he like to have people about?”’ asked the old woman, in a whining voice. ‘‘No; he’d kill me just as likely as notif he saw you here. Come along, quick.” “T’m coming. I’m coming. Oh, my parrot! I’ve lost my dear, dear parrot!’ Just as the old woman was making her way out, to the utter dismay of the servant, Alberto Corrello met them face to face, and turning fiercely to Beppo, he said: ‘“What does this mean ?’’ ‘“Well, you see, sir——”’ ‘Speak out!’’ “The old woman lost her parrot over the rear wall, and has been to find it.’’ ‘‘Have a care how you admit any one here,” said his master, in a tone of voice and with an expression cComicbooks.com _—