er, is too clear. But of this
I am assured: To learn that her lover is her brother's murderer, and not
only that, but that by his silence he accuses a friend who is innocent,
would break her heart beyond all the remedy of hope and years. That
shall not be.

It seemed little more than an hour when I heard footsteps again
approaching my door. They paused on reaching it, and the jar of bolt and
chain and lock succeeded. The door opened and closed again. I did not
turn or look round until a hand was laid on me, and a voice, strange to
me for a year, called me by my name. Then I was indeed amazed.

'Mr. Gregory! You here?'

'My poor fellow! I reached Naples last night, and found the town ringing
with the news of an arrest for murder. But what I can't understand is,
that now they've got the real fellow, they don't let you go.'

'Never mind me,' I answered. 'Do they know in England--Miss Grammont and
Cecilia?'

'They are with me here,' he answered quickly. 'They know that you are
arrested for murder, and scout the idea, of course. But they don't know
of their brother's death yet. I want to run them both away and let them
learn the news more tenderly than they will do here, but I must see
you through this miserable business. How did the fools come to suspect
_you_, of all men in the world?'

'Suspicion was natural,' I answered. 'I was found near the spot directly
after the discovery of the body.'

'What brought you there?'

'I was on my way home to Posilipo. The night was fine, and I was in a
mood for walking.'

'But you were found insensible, or something of the sort, weren't you?'

'I was standing still in the road, looking at the moonlight on the bay,
when I heard a terrible cry. Before I could move, a man came racing down
the road as if he were flying for his life. He ran against me, and we
fell together. I fainted, and never fully recovered consciousness until
I found myself here.'

'Who do you suppose the man to be? No clue to him, I suppose, in your
own mind? What do the authorities say to this?'

'I have offered no defence, and made no statement.'

'God bless my soul, what folly! When you might have been out of custody
the next day! How very absurd!'

'I was stunned, remember. There were good reasons for silence. The trial
takes place in a fortnight.'

'A fortnight! But you can't stop here a fortnight!'

'I must!' I answered, smiling even then at his impetuosity. 'I am
remanded for trial.'

'You b