urs
before they dropped their guests in the garden of the Hotel du Lac, and
headed again for Villa Rosa.

As they approached their own water-steps it became apparent that some
one--a man--was standing at the top in an attitude of expectancy.
Constance's heart gave a sudden bound and the next instant sank deep. A
babble of frenzied greetings floated out to meet them; there was no
mistaking Gustavo. Moreover, there was no mistaking the fact that he was
excited; his excitement was contagious even before they had learned the
reason. He stuttered in his impatience to share the news.

'Signore! _Dio mio_! A calamity has happened. Zat Tony, zat donk'-man! he
has got hisself arrested. Zay say it is a lie, zat he is American
citizen; he is an officer who is dessert from ze Italian army. Zay say he
just pretend he cannot spik Italian--but it is not true. He know
ten--leven words.'

They came hurrying up the steps and surrounded him, Mr. Wilder no less
shocked than Gustavo himself.

'Arrested--as a deserter? It's an outrage!' he thundered.

Constance laid her hand on Gustavo's sleeve and whirled him about.

'What do you mean? I don't understand. Where is Tony?'

Gustavo groaned.

'In jail, signorina. Four carabinieri are come to take him away. And he
fight--_Dio mio_! he fight like ze devil. But zay put--' he indicated
handcuffs--'and he go.'

Constance dropped down on the upper step, and leaning her head against
the balustrade, she laughed until she was weak.

Her father whirled upon her indignantly.

'Constance! Haven't you any sympathy for the man? This isn't a laughing
matter.'

'I know, Dad, but it's so funny--Tony an Italian officer! He can't
pronounce the ten--'leven words he does know right.'

'Of course he can't; he doesn't know as much Italian as I do. Can't these
fools tell an American citizen when they see one? I'll teach 'em to go
about chucking American citizens in jail. I'll telegraph the consul in
Milan; I'll make an international matter of it!'

He fumed up and down the terrace, while Constance rose to her feet and
followed after with a pretence at pacification.

'Hush, Dad! Don't be so excitable. It was a very natural mistake for them
to make. But if Tony is really what he says he is it will be very easily
proved. You must be sure of your ground, though, before you act. I don't
like to say anything against poor Tony now that he is in trouble, but I
have always felt that there was a mystery conn