waves. To such a man, an hour of industry in the
mornings often gives a heartier meal and sweeter rest at night. I left
you all in the Refuge sleeping soundly, even to the mules,"--Maso laughed
at his own fancies, as he included the brutes in the party,--"and I
reached the convent just as the first touch of the sun tipped yonder white
peak with its purple light."

"As thou left'st us so early, thou mayest not have heard, then, that the
body of a murdered man was found in the bone-house--the building near that
in which we slept--and that it is the body of one known?"

Sigismund spoke firmly and deliberately, as if he would come by degrees to
his purpose, while, at the same time, he made the other sensible of his
being in earnest. Maso started. He made a movement so unequivocally like
one which would have manifested an intention to proceed, that the young
man raised his hand to repulse him. But violence was unnecessary, for the
mariner instantly became composed, and seemingly more disposed to listen.

"Where there has been a crime, Maso, there must have been a criminal!"

"The Bishop of Sion could not have made truth clearer to the sinner than
yourself, Signor Sigismondo! Your manner leads me to ask what I have to do
with this?"

"There has been a murder, Maso, and the murderer is sought. The dead was
found near the spot where thou passed the night; I shall not conceal the
unhappy suspicions that are so natural."

"Diamine! where did you pass the night yourself, brave Capitano, if I may
be so bold as to question my superior? Where did the noble Baron de
Willading take his rest, and his fair daughter and one nobler and more
illustrious than he, and Pierre the guide, and--ay, and our friends, the
mules again?"

Maso laughed recklessly once more, as he made this second allusion to the
patient brutes. Sigismund disliked his levity, which he thought forced and
unnatural.

"This reasoning may satisfy thee, unfortunate man, but it will not satisfy
others. Thou wert alone, but we travelled in company; judging from thy
exterior, thou art but little favored by fortune, Whereas we are more
happy in this particular; and thou hast been, and art still, in haste to
depart, while the discovery of the foul deed is owing to us alone. Thou
must return to the convent, that this grave matter may, at least, be
examined."

Il Maledetto seemed troubled. Once or twice he glanced his eye at the
quiet athletic frame of the young man, and