sh! hush! You speak of what in England is called murder, and is
punished by the gallows. If you really love your master, for Heaven's
sake get him from this place, get him from all chance of such passion
and peril. I go to town to-morrow; I will find him a house, that shall
be safe from all spies, all discovery. And there, too, my friend. I can
do what I cannot at this distance,--watch over him, and keep watch also
on his enemy."

Jackeymo seized Randal's hand, and lifted it towards his lip; then, as
if struck by a sudden suspicion, dropped the hand, and said bluntly,
"Signore, I think you have seen the padrone twice. Why do you take this
interest in him?"

"Is it so uncommon to take interest even in a stranger who is menaced by
some peril?"

Jackeymo, who believed little in general philanthropy, shook his head
sceptically.

"Besides," continued Randal, suddenly bethinking himself of a more
plausible reason,--"besides, I am a friend and connection of Mr.
Egerton; and Mr. Egerton's most intimate friend is Lord L'Estrange; and
I have heard that Lord L'Estrange--"

"The good lord! Oh, now I understand," interrupted Jackeymo, and his
brow cleared. "Ah, if he were in England! But you will let us know when
he comes?"

"Certainly. Now, tell me, Giacomo, is this count really unprincipled and
dangerous? Remember I know him not personally."

"He has neither heart nor conscience."

"That defect makes him dangerous to men; perhaps not less so to women.
Could it be possible, if he obtained any interview with the signora,
that he could win her affections?" Jackeymo crossed himself rapidly and
made no answer.

"I have heard that he is still very handsome." Jackeymo groaned.

Randal resumed, "Enough; persuade the padrone to come to town."

"But if the count is in town?"

"That makes no difference; the safest place is always the largest city.
Everywhere else, a foreigner is in himself an object of attention and
curiosity."

"True."

"Let your master, then, come to London, or rather, into its
neighbourhood. He can reside in one of the suburbs most remote from the
count's haunts. In two days I will have found him a lodging and write to
him. You trust to me now?"

"I do indeed,--I do, Excellency. Ah, if the signorina were married, we
would not care!"

"Married! But she looks so high!"

"Alas! not now! not here!"

Randal sighed heavily. Jackeymo's eyes sparkled. He thought he had
detected a new motive for Randal's