Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 2.djvu/307

296 Will you go on an errand for me? You shall have this coin as you start, if you will, and ten like it when you come back and show me the errand is done."

The pifferaro stretched out his little tanned hand.

"Give it here," he said, laconically. "The errand is done."

Erceldoune tossed him the gold.

"The errand is this. Do you know Ferratino?"

The boy nodded assent. "Go thither, then; quick as a lapwing, straight as a crow flies. Run, as if you ran for your life. Take a paper I will give you to the villa, and say it is for his Excellency the Baron; he will send word by you, yes or no. Bring the word to me here, truly and instantly, and you shall have ten of those pieces, I promise you. Can you do the distance? It is far?"

The Savoyard laughed, his bright eyes all glittering with eager zest.

"I have done farther for a dozen bajocchi! You shall have your answer as fast as a pigeon could bring it. Give me the paper. I shall find you here?"

"Yes. On these waters. Wait a second while I write, and then be off like the wind."