self if I do any such thing; but that won't frighten
me. Blood's thicker than water when you come down to a job like
this."

It was a new attitude, but the detective said nothing, and as a
clock in the hall below beat the hour of one he returned to the
cupboard and drew the door behind him. Bendigo had just lighted
another pipe when there came the sound of feet ascending the stair;
but it was no doubtful or cautious footfall that they heard. The
ascending man neither hesitated nor made any effort to approach
without noise. He came swiftly and as the sailor stood up calm and
collected, to meet his brother--not Robert Redmayne but Giuseppe
Doria appeared.

He was very agitated and his eyes shone. He breathed hard and wiped
the hair away from his forehead. He had evidently been out in the
rain, for water glistened on his shoulders and face.

"Suffer me to drink," he said. "I have been frightened."

Bendigo pushed the bottle and an empty tumbler across his table and
the other sat down and helped himself.

"Be quick; what the devil's the matter? He'll be here in a
minute--my brother."

"No, he will not be here. I have seen and spoken with him--he's not
coming to you."

Doria helped himself very sparingly to some spirits; then he
explained.

"I was going the rounds and just about to turn out the oil lamp over
the front gate as usual when I remembered Mr. Redmayne. That is half
an hour ago and I thought it would be better to leave the lamp, to
guide him, for the night is dark and wild. I came down the ladder
therefore; but I had already been seen. He was waiting under the
shelter of the rocks on the other side of the road, where there is a
pent roof of natural stone; and seeing me he remembered me and came
and spoke a little. He was full of new fear and dread. He said that
people had been hunting him and that even now men were hidden not
far off to take him. I assured him it was not so and swore to him
that you were alone and desired only to succour him. I used my best
words and prayed him to come in swiftly and let me shut the outer
gate and make it fast; but his suspicions grew; the fear of a hunted
animal was in his eyes. He misunderstood me. Terror conquered him
and what I had said, to make him feel safe, acted in the contrary
way. He would not come within the gate but sent a message that you
are to come to him instead, if you still will to save him. He is a
very sick soul and will not last long. I saw death in