exactly as this blank volume is bound, yet it is certain that I made
no mistake, for I opened my brother's log and read a page or two
before completing the parcel."

"He had bought a new diary only the last time he was in Dartmouth,"
said Doria. "I remember the incident. I asked him what he was going
to put into the book, and he said that his log was just running out
and he needed a new volume."

"You are sure that you did not mistake the old, full book for the
new, empty one, Albert?" asked his friend.

"I cannot be positive, of course, but I feel no shadow of doubt in
my own mind."

"Then the one has been substituted for the other by somebody else.
That is a very interesting fact, if true."

"Impossible," declared Jenny. "There was nobody to do such a thing,
Mr. Ganns. Who could have felt any interest in poor Uncle Bendigo's
diary but ourselves?"

Mr. Ganns considered.

"The answer to that question might save us a very great deal of
trouble," he said. "But there may be no answer. Your uncle may be
mistaken. On the other hand I have never known him to be mistaken
over any question involving a book."

He took up the empty volume and turned its pages; then Brendon
declared they must be going.

"I'm afraid we're keeping Mr. Redmayne out of bed, Ganns," he
hinted. "Our kits have already been sent to the hotel and as we've
got a mile to walk, we'd better be moving. Are you never sleepy?"

He turned to Jenny.

"I don't believe he has closed his eyes since we left England, Mrs.
Doria."

But Peter did not laugh: he appeared to be deep in thought. Suddenly
he spoke and surprised them.

"I'm afraid you're going to find me the sort of friend that sticketh
closer than a brother, Albert. In a word, somebody must go to the
hotel and bring back my travelling grip, for I'm not going to lose
sight of you again till we've got this thing straightened out."

Mr. Redmayne was delighted.

"How like you, Peter--how typical of your attitude! You shall not
leave me, dear friend. You shall sleep in the apartment next my own.
It contains many books, but there shall be my great couch moved from
my own bedroom and set up there in half an hour. It is as
comfortable as a bed."

He turned to his niece.

"Seek Assunta and Ernesto and set the apartment in order for Mr.
Ganns, Jenny; and you, Giuseppe, will take Mr. Brendon to the Hotel
Victoria and bring back Peter's luggage."

Jenny hastened to do her uncle's bidding, while B