A quarter of an hour later, Chilina carried
over the letter my readers have just perused, and delivered it into
Orlanduccio's own hands.
The answer was not prompt, and did not arrive till evening. It bore the
signature of the elder Barricini, and informed Orso that he was laying
the threatening letter sent to his son before the public prosecutor. His
missive concluded thus: "Strong in the sense of a clear conscience, I
patiently wait till the law has pronounced on your calumnies."
Meanwhile five or six herdsmen, summoned by Colomba, arrived to garrison
the della Rebbia Tower. In spite of Orso's protests, _archere_ were
arranged in the windows looking onto the square, and all through the
evening offers of service kept coming in from various persons belonging
to the village. There was even a letter from the bandit-theologian,
undertaking, for himself and Brandolaccio, that in the event of the
mayor's calling on the gendarmes, they themselves would straightway
intervene. The following postscript closed the letter:
"Dare I ask you what the Signor Prefetto thinks of the excellent
education bestowed by my friend on Brusco, the dog? Next to Chilina, he
is the most docile and promising pupil I have ever come across.
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