A deep groan answered Rinaldo’s
cry, but in his alarm he took it for
an echo, so weak and hollow was
the sound. It could not proceed
from any human breast.
“Santa Maria!” said the voice.
“If I stir from this spot I shall
never find it again,” thought Ri-
naldo, when he had recovered his
usual presence of mind. “If I knock,
I shall be discovered. What am I
to do?”
“Who is here?” asked the voice.
“Hallo!” cried the brigand; “do
the toads here talk?”
“I am the Duke of Bracciano.
Whoever you may be, if you are not
a follower of the Duchess’, in the
name of all the saints, come towards
me.”