nder if that may not have to be done; but I'd a deal
sooner take him ourselves if we could. Anyway I must get a move on
this fortnight, for to stop longer in Italy is impossible. Yet how
am I going to beat it and leave my old friend at the mercy of this
threat? While I'm alongside him, he's safe, I guess; but what may
happen as soon as I turn my back?"

"Can I not help you?"

But Mr. Ganns shook his head.

"Can't work in cahoots with you, son, because I begin to fear you
are right when you say your wife's against us; and a man isn't to be
trusted to pull down his own wife."

"If that's all--"

They proceeded slowly and Peter kept the ball of conversation
rolling while he pretended to be very busy with his plans and
projects. He promised also that, when Jenny went to the hills alone,
he and Brendon would secretly follow her.

Then a very strange thing happened. As the first firefly streaked
the dusk and the ruined shrine rose beside the way, a tall man
suddenly appeared in front of it. He had not been there a moment
before, yet now he bulked large in the purple evening light, and it
was not yet so dark but his remarkable features challenged the
beholders. For there stood Robert Redmayne, his great, red head and
huge mustache thrusting out of the gloom. He stared quite
motionless. His hands were by his sides; the stripes of his tweed
jacket could be seen and the gilt buttons on the familiar red
waistcoat.

Doria started violently, then stiffened. For a moment he failed to
conceal his surprise and cast one look of evident horror and
amazement at the apparition. He clearly knew the tall figure, but
there was no friendship or understanding in the bewildered stare he
now turned upon the shadow that filled the path. For a moment he
brushed his hand over his eyes, as though to remove the object upon
which he glared; then he looked again--to find the lane empty and
Ganns gazing at him.

"What's wrong?" asked Peter.

"Christ! Did you see him--right in the path--Robert Redmayne?"

But the other only stared at Giuseppe and peered forward.

"I saw nothing," he said; whereupon like lightning, the Italian's
manner changed. His concern vanished and he laughed aloud.

"What a fool--what a fool am I! It was the shadow of the shrine!"

"You've got the red man on your nerves, I guess. I don't blame you.
What did you think you saw?"

"No--no, signor; I have no nerves. I saw nothing. It was a shadow."

Ganns instantly di