le Sir Walter still
opposed, he was surprised to hear Mary plead on the visitor's behalf,
and his nephew support her.

"Signor Mannetti is quite right, father; I am positive of it," she said.
"He is right; and because he is right, he is safe."

"Admirably put!" cried the Italian. "There you have the situation in
a nutshell, my friends. Trust a clever woman's intuition. I am indeed
right. Never was consciousness of right so impressed upon my mind--prone
as I am always to doubt my own conclusions. I am, in fact, right because
I cannot be wrong. Trust me. My own safety is absolutely assured, for
we are concerned with the operations of men like ourselves--at least, I
hope very different from ourselves, but men, nevertheless. It was your
fate to revive this horror; it shall be my privilege to banish it out
of the earth. At a breath the cunning of the ungodly shall be brought
to nought. And not before it is time. But the mills of God grind slowly.
Our achievement will certainly resound to the corners of the civilized
world."

"I'm as positive as the signor himself that he is safe, uncle," said
Henry Lennox.

"Let us go to tea," replied Sir Walter. "These things are far too deep
for a plain man. I only ask you to consider all this must mean to me who
am the master of Chadlands and responsible to the authorities. Reflect
if ill overtook you."

"It is impossible that it can."

"So others believed. And where are they? Further trouble would unhinge
my mind, signor."

"You have endured enough to make you speak so strongly, and your brave
girl also. But fear nothing whatever. I am far too deeply concerned and
committed on your behalf to add a drop to the bitter drink of the past,
my dear Sir Walter. I am as safe in that room as I should be at the
altar steps of St. Peter's. Trust old Prince, if you cannot trust me.
I rely largely on your blind pet to aid me. He has good work to do yet,
faithful fellow."

"The detectives took animals into the room, but they were not hurt,"
said Lennox.

"Neither shall the dog be hurt."

He patted the sleeping spaniel, and they rose and went into the house
together.

Mannetti evidently assumed that his wishes were to be granted.

"I will go and sleep awhile," he said. "Until an early dinner, excuse
me, and let Mrs. May and Mr. Lennox convince you, as they are themselves
convinced. These events have immensely excited my vitality. I little
guessed that, at the end of my days, a sensatio