he had
given her much money, and silk dresses and earrings. That is what he
said."

Ercole gazed down at Nino's bloodshot eye, which was turned to him just
then.

"A girl called Regina," Ercole grumbled, in a tone even harsher than
usual.

"That is what he said. Why should he tell me one thing for another? He
said that your young gentleman would perhaps come back when he was tired
of Regina. And he laughed. That is all."

A low growl from Nino interrupted the conversation. It was very low and
long and then rose quickly and ended in a short bark, as the dog
gathered his powerful hindquarters suddenly and raised himself,
bristling all over and thrusting his sinewy forepaws out before him.
Then the growl began again, but Ercole touched him lightly with the toe
of his hob-nailed boot, and the dog was instantly silent. Both men
looked about, but no one was to be seen.

"There is a boat on the beach," said Padre Francesco, who had caught the
faint soft sound of the keel running upon the sand.

They both rose, Ercole picking up his gun as he did so; Nino, seeing
that his master was on the alert, slunk to his heels without growling
any more. A moment later a man's voice was heard calling on the other
side of the tower.

"Hi! Watchman of the tower! A favour! Watchman of the tower! Hi!"

Padre Francesco turned the corner, followed by Ercole. A sailor in
scanty ragged clothes and the remains of a rush hat was standing
barefoot in the burning sand, with an earthen jug in his hand. A
battered boat, from which all traces of paint had long since
disappeared, was lying with her nose buried in the sand, not moving in
the oily water. Another man was in her, very much like the first in
looks.

On seeing Nino at Ercole's heels, the man who was ashore drew back with
an exclamation, as if he were going to run away, but Ercole spoke in a
reassuring tone.

"Be not afraid," he said. "This dog does not eat Christians. He gets
enough to eat at home. He is not a dog, he is a lamb, and most
affectionate."

"It is an evil beast," observed the sailor, looking at Nino. "I am
afraid."

"What do you desire?" inquired Padre Francesco politely. "Is it water
that you wish?"

"As a favour," answered the man, seeing that the dog did not fly at him.
"A little water to drink. We have been pulling all day; it is hot, and
we have drunk what we had."

"Come with me," said Padre Francesco. "Where is your vessel?"

"At Fiumicino. The master s