gure emerged from behind the tower, and
stood, for some minutes, gazing up in the sky, as if contemplating the
glorious galaxy of stars, which shone down from it. At length it
advanced towards the spot where they were standing, and Fleetwood felt
that they were about to be discovered, and prepared for the emergency.

"I must save this poor girl at every cost," he thought. "Whatever be
her motive, she has placed herself in peril on my account."

Just as the person came close to them, he turned round, evidently not
observing them, and walked forward in the very direction from whence
they had come.

As soon as he was out of sight, Fleetwood heard the Italian lady
whisper,--"It is poor Paolo. He would rather aid than betray us; but,
for his sake, while I have other means, I would not willingly employ
him. He has suffered much for me, and I would not bring further
vengeance on his head. Now go in and sleep till the morning."

The door was carefully closed, and Fleetwood heard it locked after he
entered the room, where his companions slept soundly.

Nina, mean time, hurried back to her tower, where she found little Mila
sleeping on her couch. She awoke her with a kiss.

"Your task is nearly over for to-night," she whispered, putting, at the
same time, two keys into her hand. "Go, now, and lock me in, and return
those keys whence you took them. I am grateful for your zeal, and you
shall have your reward. Keep your own counsel as before; and no one
will suspect you."

Mila nodded, took up the keys, and slipped noiselessly back to the house
tenanted by her grandfather.

Fleetwood tried to follow the example of his friends, but it was not
till daylight broke that he closed his eyes in a deep slumber.

"Humph," muttered old Vlacco, as he came into the room in the morning
rubbing his eyes. "There was little use locking up these lazy Maltese,
unless they are addicted to walking in their sleep. At all events they
are honest, or they would not snore so loudly."

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

The greater part of the population of the island residing near the
harbour were assembled on the shores of the bay to enjoy, under the
shade of the high cliffs, the deliriously cool air of the evening, and
to welcome the return of their chief, whose mistico was seen approaching
from the westward.

There were old men and women, the elders and parents, as well as the
young men and maidens, who had come with happy hearts, to amu