George W. M. Reynolds

“ Only keep a guard upon your tongue, for it wags somewhat too freely; and remember that a man who has been for fifteen years the captain of as gallant a band as ever levied contributions on the lieges of the republic, is not to have 'coward' thrown in his teeth."
"Let it pass, good Stephano!" urged the valet. "I tell thee that a closet whereof I have spoken, can contain naught save a treasure—perhaps in gold—perhaps in massive plate." ”

“ Fearful that they might be domestics belonging to the household, she hastily and noiselessly retreated within the deep shade of the wall of the mansion, and there she remained motionless.
We must now detail the conversation which passed between the two individuals whose presence in the garden had thus alarmed the Lady Nisida.
"But are you sure of what you say, Antonio?" demanded one of the men. ”

“ The valet and the robber-chief now moved away from the spot where they had stood to hold the above conversation; and the moment they had turned the adjacent angle of the mansion, Nisida hastened to regain her apartment by the private stair-case—resolving, however, to see Wagner as early as possible in the morning. ”

“ A wealthy countess has been compelled to pledge her diamonds to a Jew; on Sunday next she must appear with her husband at the palace of the Medici; and on Saturday night, therefore, the diamonds must be recovered from the Jew. ”

“ I cannot be mistaken," was the reply. "The closet has been locked up for years and years, and the old count always used to keep the keys in an iron chest, which was also carefully locked and chained round. What can the place possibly contain but a treasure?"
"After all it is only conjecture on your part; and that being the case, it is not worth while to risk one's life——"
"You are a coward, Stephano!" exclaimed Antonio, angrily. "The closet has got a heavy, massive door, and a prodigiously strong lock ”