ust so," rejoined the Italian, with a hardihood that seemed to sit
easily upon him.

"I think, friend," said Linton, drawing nearer to him--and, although the
foreign language in which he spoke effectually prevented the others from
understanding what passed, instantly his voice dropped into a lower and
more confidential tone--"I think, friend, we shall soon understand each
other well. You are in want of a protector; I may yet stand in need of
an attached and zealous fellow. I read people quickly, and it seems to
me that we are well met. Stay here, then; we shall soon have a large
company arriving, and I 'll try and find out some exercise for your
abilities."

The Italian's dark eyes flashed and twinkled as though his subtle nature
had already enlarged upon the shadowy suggestions of the other, and he
made a significant gesture of assent.

"Remember, now, in whose service you are," said Linton, taking out his
purse, and seeking among its contents for the precise piece of coin he
wanted--"remember, that I am not the master here, but one who has to the
full as much power, and that I can prove a strong friend, and, some say,
a very dangerous enemy. Here is the earnest of our bargain," said he,
handing him a guinea in gold; "from this hour I count upon you."

The Italian nodded twice, and pocketing the money with a cool audacity
that told that such contracts were easily comprehended by him, touched
his cap, and sauntered away, as though to follow out some path of his
own choosing. Linton looked after him for a moment, but the next
his attention was taken off by seeing that Mr. Corrigan and his
granddaughter were advancing hastily towards him.

"So you have really accepted my suggestion," said Mary, with a flush
of pleasure on her cheek; "the door has been opened, and the vista is
exactly as my dream revealed it."

"In all save the chief ingredient," replied Linton, laugh-. ing; "we
want the monk and the casket."

"Hush!" said she, cautiously; "grandpapa is a firm believer in all
dreams and visions, and would not hear them spoken of irreverently."

"Assuredly, I never was less in the mind to do so," replied Linton, with
a degree of earnestness that made Mary smile, little suspecting at the
time to what his speech owed its fervor.

"We've come to take a last look at the 'Hall,' Mr. Linton," said the old
man. "Tom Keane tells me that your gay company will soon arrive; indeed,
rumor says that some have already reached L