nothing for it but patience."

"Patience!" muttered he, with an expression that made them all burst out
laughing.

"So I may tell Sedley you will aid him?" asked Bramleigh.

"I'm ready, now. Indeed, the sooner begun the better; for we have a long
walk project--haven 't we, Jack?--for this afternoon."

"Yes, if we have patience for it," said he. And once more the laugh
broke forth as they arose from table and separated into little knots and
groups through the room.

"I may tell you, Julia," said Augustus, in a half whisper, "that though
I have given up hoping this many a day, it is just possible there may be
something in these papers of moment to me, and I know I have only to say
as much to secure your interest in them."

"I believe you can rely upon that," said she; and within less than five
minutes afterwards she was seated at the table with Mr. Sedley in the
study, an oblong box of oak clasped with brass in front of them, and a
variety of papers lying scattered about.

"Have you got good eyes, Miss L'Estrange?" said Sedley, as he raised his
spectacles, and turned a peering glance towards her.

"Good eyes?" repeated she, in some astonishment.

"Yes; I don't mean pretty eyes, or expressive eyes. I mean, have you
keen sight?"

"I think I have."

"That's what I need from you at this moment; here are some papers with
erasures and re-writings, and corrections in many places, and it will
take all your acuteness to distinguish between the several contexts.
Aided by a little knowledge of Latin, I have myself discovered some
passages of considerable interest. I was half the night over them; but
with your help, I count on accomplishing more in half an hour."

While he spoke he continued to arrange papers in little packets before
him, and, last of all, took from the box a painter's palette and several
brushes, along with two or three of those quaintly shaped knives men use
in fresco-painting.

"Have you ever heard of the painter Giacomo Lami?" asked he.

"Of course I have. I know the whole story in which he figures. Mr.
Bramleigh has told it to me."

"These are his tools. With these he accomplished those great works which
have made him famous among modern artists, and by his will--at least I
have spelled out so much--they were buried along with him."

"And where was he buried?"

"Here! here in Cattaro. His last work was the altar-piece of the little
chapel of the villa."

"Was there ever so strange a coinc