e, that Doria would deny any knowledge of the
incident; and time proved that Mark was right enough in that
prediction.

CHAPTER XV

A GHOST

The next morning, while he rubbed his bruises in a hot bath, Brendon
determined upon a course of action. He proposed to tell Jenny and
her husband exactly what had happened to him, merely concealing the
end of the story.

He breakfasted, lighted his pipe and limped over to Villa Pianezzo.
He was not in reality very lame, but accentuated the stiffness. Only
Assunta appeared, though Brendon's eyes had marked Doria and Jenny
together in the neighbourhood of the silkworm house as he entered
the garden. He asked for Giuseppe and, having left Brendon in the
sitting-room of the villa, Assunta departed. Almost immediately
afterward Jenny greeted him with evident pleasure but reproved him.

"We waited an hour for supper," she said, "then Giuseppe would wait
no longer. I was beginning to get frightened and I have been
frightened all night. I am thankful to see you, for I feared
something serious might have happened."

"Something serious did happen. I've got a strange story to tell. Is
your husband within reach? He must hear it, too, I think. He may be
in some danger as well as others."

She expressed impatience and shook her head.

"Can't you believe me? But of course you can't. Why should you?
Doria in danger! However, if you want him, you don't want me, Mark."

It was the first time that she had thus addressed him and his heart
throbbed; but the temptation to confide in her lasted not a moment.

"On the contrary I want you both," he answered. "I attach very great
weight to the hints you have given me--not only for my sake but for
your own. The end is not yet as far as you're concerned, Jenny, for
your welfare is more to me than anything else in the world--you know
it. Trust me to prove that presently. But other things come first. I
must do what I am here to do, before I am free to do what I long to
do."

"I trust you--and only you," she said. "In all this bewilderment and
misery, you are now the only steadfast rock to which I can cling.
Don't desert me, that's all that I ask."

"Never! All that's best in me shall be devoted to you, thankfully
and proudly--now that you have wished it. Trust me, I say again.
Call your husband. I want to tell you both what happened to me
yesterday."

Again she hesitated and gazed intently upon him.

"Are you sure that you are wise?