t
let on to anybody else about it and we won't start together. You
know my favourite stroll up the hill. Meet me at the corner--say
seven o'clock."

Giuseppe gladly agreed.

"We will go up to the shrine of Madonna del farniente," he declared;
and when the time came, Peter found him at the spot. They ascended
the hill side by side and the elder invited Doria's aid.

"Between ourselves," he began, "I am not too well pleased with the
way this inquiry is panning out. Brendon's all right and means as
well as any bull that ever I worked with. He does a clever thing
here and there--as when he shammed death up on the mountain; but
what was the sense of setting that trap and then missing his man? I
shouldn't have done that. You wouldn't have done it. In plain words
there's some dope coming between Mark and his work, and I should
like to hear what you think of him, you being an independent
witness and a pretty shrewd cuss. You've had a chance to study his
make-up, so tell me what you think. I'm tired of fooling around this
job--and being fooled myself."

"Marco is in love with my wife," answered Giuseppe calmly. "That is
what's the matter with him. And, as I don't trust my wife in this
affair and still believe that she knows more about the red man than
anybody else, I think, as long as she hoodwinks Brendon, he will be
no manner of use to you."

Peter pretended to be much astonished.

"My stars! You take it pretty cool!"

"For the good reason that I am no longer in love with my wife
myself. I am not a dog in the manger. I want peace and quietness. I
have no use for intrigues and plots. I am a plain man, Signor
Pietro. Mystery bores me. Moreover I live in fear of getting into a
mess myself. I do not see where I come in at all. My wife and this
unknown rascal are after something; and if you want to get to the
bottom of this, watch her--not me. The blow you fear may fall at any
moment."

"You'd say trail Jenny?"

"That is what I would say. Sooner or later she'll make an excuse to
be off to the mountains alone. Let her start and then follow her up
with Brendon. The problem is surely simple enough: to catch this red
Redmayne. If you cannot do it, tell the police and the doganieri.
There is a force of smuggler hunters always on the spot and ready to
your hand. Describe this savage, human fox and offer a big reward
for his brush. He will be caught quickly enough then."

Mr. Ganns nodded and stood still.

"I shouldn't wo