am almost inclined
to send Ernesto to see if all be well with him and report that all
is well with me."

He rambled on and presently went out upon his balcony and looked
across to Bellagio. Then he appeared to forget Signor Poggi for a
time and presently ate a little of the store of food brought back in
secret by Mr. Ganns on the previous night.

"It is a grief to me," he said again, "that Peter fears treachery
under this roof. Surely God is all powerful and would not suffer my
interesting and harmless life to be snatched away from me by poison?
I shall be very thankful when Peter leaves his horrid profession and
retires and devotes his noble intellect to purer thoughts."

"What became of the soup, Mr. Redmayne?"

"'Grillo' drank every drop and, having done so, my beautiful cat
purred a grace after meat, according to his custom, then sank into
peaceful slumber."

Mark looked at the great blue Persian, who was evidently sleeping in
perfect comfort. It woke to his touch, yawned, spread its paws,
purred gently and then tucked itself up again.

"He's right enough."

"Of course. Jenny tells me that her husband returns to Turin
to-morrow. She, however, will stop here with me for the present. It
may be well if they separate for a while."

They talked and smoked, while Mr. Redmayne became reminiscent and
amused himself with memories of the past. He forgot his present
disquiet amid these recollections and chatted amiably of his
earliest days in Australia and his subsequent, successful career as
a bookseller and dealer.

Jenny presently joined them and all entered the dining-room
together, where tea was served.

"He will be going out soon now," whispered Albert's niece to
Brendon; and he knew that she referred to her husband. Mr. Redmayne
still declined to eat or drink.

"I did both to excess yesterday," he said, "and must rest my
ill-used stomach until to-morrow."

He was chiefly concerned with Doria and had prepared for him various
messages to bookmen in Turin. They sat long and the shadows were
lengthening before the old man returned to his apartments. Then
Giuseppe made a final and humorous appeal to Mark to influence Jenny
in favour of the automobiles and presently lit one of his Tuscan
cigars, took his hat and left the house.

"At last!" whispered Jenny, her face lighting in relief. "He will be
gone for a good two hours now and we can talk."

"Not here, then," Mark answered. "Let us go into the garden. T