The police were hunting for
the missing saber. Of course we knew nothing about it," with a wink at
Merrihew. "I don't know what would have happened if her lawyer hadn't
hurried up from Rome and straightened out things. Queer business. But
she's a princess, all right; and she doesn't need any foreign handle,
either. Kitty, you stick to America when you think of getting married."

"I shall," said Kitty demurely.

"My opinion," went on O'Mally, "is that the prince beat his nag out of
pure deviltry, and the brute jumped into the gorge with him. The
_carabinieri_ claim that they saw a man in the gorge. They gave chase,
but couldn't find hide nor hair of him."

Merrihew looked significantly at Hillard, who signed to him to be
silent.

"I am glad that we can sail Saturday," said Kitty. She was very tired.

"So am I," echoed Smith. "All I want is a heart-to-heart talk with old
Broadway. Never again for mine!"

"Go on!" said O'Mally. "You'll be talking about this for the next ten
years."

"As to that I don't say. But never my name on a foreign contract again,
unless it takes me to London. No more _parle Italiano_. Let's go over to
the Grand. There's an American barkeep over there, and he'll sympathize
with us."

"You're on!" said O'Mally willingly.

When they were gone, Hillard asked Kitty if she had any news.

"She said that she would write you, and for you to remain here till you
received the letter."

"Was that all?"

"Yes. Have you seen anything of that wretched man Worth, who is the
cause of all this trouble?"

"No, nor do I care to."

"Suppose the three of us take a stroll along the Lungarno?" suggested
Merrihew. "It will be the last chance together."

"You two go. I am worn out," said Hillard. "I had no sleep last night."

So Kitty and Merrihew went out together. They climbed the Ponte Vecchio,
leaned against the rail back of the bust of Cellini and contemplated the
trembling lights on the sluggish waters.

"I hate to leave him alone," said Merrihew.

Kitty nestled snugly against his arm. "Don't worry about him. It is all
well with him."

"How do you know?"

"I am a woman."

"Oh!" A bell crashed out across the river; it was nine o'clock. "Do you
love me, Kitty Killigrew?"

"Very much, Mr. Merrihew."

"But why did you keep me waiting so long?"

"That's one of the few secrets I shall never tell you."

Merrihew pursued his investigations no further. "We shall have to live
in a flat."

"I