all, and wished to
add to a collection she was making of Sicilian peasant jewelry. It
would be a triumph to walk down alone to the fair, buy the necklace, and
show these young foreigners that Englishmen knew how to take care of
themselves. He did not mention his intention to Mr. Stacey or to Mr.
Greville, but waiting till it was almost dark he avoided the family,
dashed into the garden, and set off along the road to Targia Vecchia.

As Mr. Greville had prophesied, he found the little town in a decidedly
lively condition. Barrels of wine were being broached in the streets by
the light of flaring torches, and most of the men were in an excited
condition. The Cheap Jacks were still doing a brisk trade, and at the
jewelry stall Everard was able to buy the souvenir he wanted for Carmel.
It was the last of the sort left, so he considered himself in luck. He
put the small parcel in his pocket and turned away, rather disgusted
with the riot of the town, and glad to leave the noise and glare behind
him. He tramped up the steep country road with a sense of relief.

It was a beautiful calm night, and a half moon hung silver in the sky.
The stars, far brighter than they ever appear in England, twinkled in
the blue firmament, behind the mighty peak of Etna. It was not really
dark, and it was quite possible to see the main outlines of most of the
features of the landscape. Everard walked along cheerily. So far he had
met with no hindrance. The people at the fair had indeed looked at him
with much curiosity, and had even spoken to him, but certainly nobody
had offered in any way to molest him. The dangers of Targia Vecchia at
nightfall had evidently been grossly exaggerated. So confident was
Everard that he even whistled a tune as he walked, and planned how he
would stroll into the drawing-room on his return to Casa Bianca, slip
the necklace from his pocket, and casually mention where he had been. In
his preoccupation he did not give any particular heed to the road, or
see movement among the dark shadows of a group of prickly pears that
overhung a sharp corner.

Without the slightest warning a pistol shot suddenly rang out, and three
figures, springing from the shelter of the prickly pears, flung
themselves upon him. For a second he had a vision of cloaks and masked
faces, and hit out pluckily, but they were three to one, and in a few
moments they had secured him, bound his hands behind his back, and tied
a bandage over his eyes. Al