day and extras for his
exclusive services as guide during my stay."

Poor Stampa was nearly overwhelmed by this unexpected good fortune. In
his agitation he blurted out, "Ah, then, the good God did really send
an angel to my help this morning!"

Spencer, however, reviewing his own benevolence over a pipe outside
the hotel, expressed the cynical opinion that the hot sun was
affecting his brain. "I'm on a loose end," he communed. "Next time I
waft myself to Europe on a steamer I'll bring my mother. It would be a
bully fine notion to cable for her right away. I want someone to take
care of me. It looks as if I had a cinch on running this hotel
gratis. What in thunder will happen next?"

He could surely have answered that query if he had the least inkling
of the circumstances governing Helen's prior meeting with Stampa. As
it was, the development of events followed the natural course. While
Spencer strolled off by the side of the lake, the old guide lumbered
into the village street, and waited there, knowing that he would
waylay the _bella Inglesa_ on her return. Though she came from the
chateau and not from Cavloccio, he did not fail to see her.

At first she was at a loss to fathom the cause of Stampa's delight,
and still less to understand why he should want to thank her with such
exuberance. She imagined he was overjoyed at having gone back to his
beloved profession, and it was only by dint of questioning that she
discovered the truth. Then it dawned on her that the man had been
goaded to desperation by the curt message from St. Moritz,--that he
was sorely tempted to abandon the struggle, and follow into the
darkness the daughter taken from him so many years ago,--and the
remembrance of her suspicion when they were about to part at the
cemetery gate lent a serious note to her words of congratulation.

"You see, Stampa," she said, "you were very wrong to lose faith this
morning. At the very moment of your deepest despair Heaven was
providing a good friend for you."

"Yes, indeed, _fraeulein_. That is why I waited here. I felt that I
must thank you. It was all through you. The good God sent you----"

"I think you are far more beholden to the gentleman who employed you
than to me," she broke in.

"Yes, he is splendid, the young _voyageur_; but it was wholly on your
account, lady. He was angry with me at first, because he thought I
placed you in peril in the matter of the wheel."

Helen was amazed. "He spoke of