t, blindly, and only because right was right; but it did not
open his eyes to the terrible truth that whereas right is right, the
Supreme Power, which is always in the right, does not take human life
into consideration at all, and that a man is under all circumstances
bound to consider the value of life to others, and sometimes its value
to himself, when others depend upon him for their happiness, or safety,
or welfare.

Animated by the most sincere wish to find the right direction and follow
it--perhaps because Aurora had said that she trusted him--yet blind to
the dangers that beset his path, there is no knowing how many lives
Marcello might not have wrecked by acting on the resolutions he
certainly would have made if he had been left to himself another hour.

He was deep in thought, his feet stretched out to the fire, his head
leaning back against the leathern cushion of his chair, his eyes half
closed, feeling that he was quite alone and beyond the reach of every
one, if he chose to sit there until morning wrestling with his
psychological problem.

He was roused by the sharp buzz of the telephone instrument which stood
on the writing-table. It was very annoying, and he wished he had turned
it off before he had sat down, but since some one was calling he got up
reluctantly to learn who wanted him at that hour. He glanced at the
clock, and saw that it was nearly half-past ten. The instrument buzzed
again as he reached the table.

"I want to see Signor Consalvi at once; is it too late?" asked a man's
voice anxiously.

"I am Consalvi. Who are you, please?" asked Marcello.

"Kalmon. Is it true that Corbario has left the villa?"

"Yes. He left this afternoon."

"Where is he now?"

"He drove to the railway station. I don't know where he is gone. He left
no address."

"--railway station--no address--" Marcello heard the words as Kalmon
spoke to some other person at his elbow, wherever he was.

"May I come at once?" Kalmon asked.

"Yes. I am alone. I'll have the lower gate opened."

"Thanks. I shall be at the gate in twenty minutes. Good-bye."

"Good-bye."

Marcello hung up the receiver, rang the bell, and gave the order for the
gate, adding that the gentleman who came was to be shown in at once.
Then he sat down and waited.

It was clear that Kalmon had learned of Corbario's departure from
Aurora, perhaps through her mother. He had probably dined with them, for
he was intimate at the house, and Aurora h