to. Guilty or innocent, dead or alive, he
could not be abandoned where he was. Humanity demanded that some effort
be made in his behalf. Perhaps, too, if he were in a condition to speak,
some key to the strange, bewildering and terrible transactions of the
night might be obtained. Esperance raised him in his arms and carried
him to the brook near the Solara cabin. By this time the moon had arisen
and in its silvery rays he examined him thoroughly. There was no trace
of blood, no wound; only a large bruise on his forehead, as if he had
been struck with some heavy object and knocked down unconscious. He was
alive, for his heart was beating, and once or twice he had moved on the
sward where Esperance had placed him. The young man made a cup of his
hands, and, dipping some cool water from the stream, dashed it in the
Viscount's face. Instantly he opened his eyes, gazing about him in
bewilderment. He sat up and stared wildly at Esperance.

"What is the matter? How came I here?" he asked, in astonishment. Then
suddenly putting his hand to the bruise on his forehead, as if it
pained him, he continued: "Ah! yes! I remember it all now! Luigi Vampa
struck me!"

"Luigi Vampa struck you?" cried Esperance, more amazed than ever.

"Yes, after he had forced me to take a fearful oath to remain silent!"

"Silent about what? The abduction of Annunziata Solara?"

"Hush! hush! Do not mention that girl's name! Vampa or some of his men
may be lurking in the vicinity and hear!"

"What has become of her? At least tell me that! You know!"

"As God is my judge, I do not!"

"Were you not with her to-night? Did you not forcibly take her from the
cabin?"

"No! no!"

"Who did then?"

"Alas! my oath compels silence on that point!"

"Your oath! That is a very convenient excuse! Giovanni, Luigi Vampa was
not here to-night."

"He was. He lurked around the cabin all day, that when darkness came he
might commit the blackest deed that ever sullied the record of mankind!"

Instantly Esperance recollected the peasant he had met that afternoon
beside the brook, the man who, but a short while before, had opposed his
passage and disarmed him in the forest. His vague familiarity with his
voice, face and dress was now accounted for. The man was Luigi Vampa.
There could be no doubt of it. But why had he abducted Annunziata
Solara, as Giovanni's words would seem to infer? Why, save as the
confederate and accomplice of the Viscount Massetti? But the