But it was not such an easy or speedy business
as I had expected. It took me a long time to get back to the
starting-place and when I did, a search was needed before I found my
sandwiches and flask of Chianti. Never was a meal more welcome. I
soon felt my strength returning and set off in half an hour on the
journey back to the plateau.
"Then my troubles began. You'll think the wine got into my head and
it may have done so; but at any rate I lost the path most
effectually and presently lost myself. I began to despair and had
very nearly given up any further attempt to return when, out of the
trees, blinked the white face of the precipice under Griante's crown
and I recognized the situation. Then I went slowly and silently
forward and kept a sharp lookout.
"But I returned too late. Once back again, a glance at the dummy
showed me that I had lost my chance. It had been handled. The trunk
was in one place, the grass head, with my cap upon it, lay in
another. One knew that no fox or other wild creature would have
disturbed it thus.
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