he air. "It is golden--I can see
it in the dark--but I must cover it, darling. Quick--this way. At last!
No--you cannot see the fire, but it is burning well, I am sure. Hold on!
Hold the pommel of the saddle with both hands--so!"

The voice ceased. Griggs began to understand. He touched Dalrymple's
sleeve, leaning across the table.

"I say!" he called softly. "Dalrymple!"

The Scotchman started violently, and the pupils of his eyes contracted.
The empty glass in his right hand rattled on the hard wood. Then he
smiled vaguely at Griggs.

"By Jove!" he exclaimed in his natural voice. "I think I must have been
napping--'Sleep'ry Sim of the Lamb-hill, and snoring Jock of
Suport-mill!' By Jove, Griggs, we have got near the point at last. One
bottle left, eh? The seventh.

"'Then up and gat the seventh o' them,
And never a word spake he;
But he has striped his bright brown brand--'

The rest has no bearing upon the subject," he concluded, filling both
glasses. "Griggs," he said, before he drank, "I am afraid this settles
the matter."

"I am afraid it does," said Griggs.

"Yes. I had hopes a little while ago, which appeared well founded. But
that unfortunate little nap has sent me back to the starting-point. I
should have to begin all over again. It is very late, I fancy. Let us
drink this last glass to our own two selves, and then give it up."

Something had certainly sobered the Scotchman again, or at least cleared
his head, for he had not been drunk in the ordinary sense of the word.

"It cannot be said that we have not given the thing a fair trial," said
Griggs, gloomily. "I shall certainly not take the trouble to try it
again."

Nevertheless he looked at his companion curiously, as they both rose to
their feet together. Dalrymple doubled his long arms as he stood up and
stretched them out.

"It is curious," he said. "I feel as though I had been carrying a heavy
weight in my arms. I did once, for some distance," he added
thoughtfully, "and I remember the sensation."

"Very odd," said Griggs, lighting a cigar.

Giulio, sitting outside, half asleep, woke up as he heard the steady
tread of the two strong men go by.

"If you do not die to-night, you will never die again!" he said, half
aloud, as he rose to go in and clear the room where the guests had been
sitting.

END OF VOL. I.

CASA BRACCIO

[Illustration]

[Illustration: "As he stood there repeating the