cunningly contrived chain and belt, so that he could not possibly
escape in the crowd, and deliver him over to his uncle. When he saw
that the boy was detained against his will, the sly fellow changed his
tactics.

"Ha, ha," said he, "this is much easier for Totu," and hurrying into
the garden, stationed himself under the window which opened into and
was on a level with the garden. As soon as Father Somazzo left the
room, Peppo went to the window to watch the sky rockets that every now
and then went shooting into the sky, and to listen to the shouts of the
merry revelers in the streets.

"What, little Lihu, are you not going to the celebration? Why, down in
the marketplace there is the finest puppet show that was ever seen or
heard of anywhere," said Totu in a sympathetic tone of voice.

"I can't," said he, "Father Somazzo is an old tyrant. He wants me to
renounce this pleasure, to make a sacrifice to God to-night by staying
at home."

"Oh, nonsense!" answered the tempter. "You come with me. I'll take
you down into the city, and to the puppet show, and the fireworks, and
everything else. We'll be back in an hour, and Father Somazzo, who is
saying his prayers, won't even know you've been away."

"He has locked the door, and will be angry if he finds me gone," said
the boy, half ready to yield to the tempter.

"He won't find it out. Quick. Climb up on the window-sill, I'll lift
you down, and in a moment we'll be out through the little gate in the