Fish, who was last, closed the door very gently behind him.

In the hall below Mr. Galloway turned to me. "Our mission is
ended, Mr. Townshend. I have to thank you for your courtesy."
Then to the others, "If we order the coaches now, we may get
well on the way to Verona ere sundown."


An hour later two coaches rolled out of the courtyard of the Tre
Croci. As they passed, a window was half-opened on the upper
floor, and a head looked out. A line of a song came down, a
song sung in a strange quavering voice. It was the catch I had
heard the night before:


"Qu'est-ce qui passe ici si tard,
Compagnons de la Marjolaine--e!"

It was true. The company came late indeed--too late by forty
years. . . .



AVIGNON

1759

Hearts to break but nane to sell,
Gear to tine but nane to hain;--
We maun dree a weary spell