pessimism by a pregnant wink unseen by Doria. It was clear to
Brendon that he had no intention of acquainting Giuseppe with any
new facts--if such there might be; and this interested Mark the more
because, as yet, Peter was quite ignorant of his own adventure on
Griante. He had kept it out of the post, not desiring to obtrude
anything between Mr. Ganns and his personal activities.

On the following day it was Mr. Redmayne who found himself weary.
Reaction came and he slept all that night and determined to keep his
bed for twenty-four hours. It seemed, however, that he was going to
find occupation for everybody. He directed Doria to visit Milan, on
a mission to secondhand booksellers, and Jenny was sent to Varenna
with a gift for an acquaintance.

Brendon perceived that it was designed to keep both husband and wife
out of the way for a few hours; but whether Doria suspected the
intention he could not judge. Certainly Jenny did not. She welcomed
the excursion to Varenna, for her uncle's correspondent was a widow
lady and Jenny already knew her and valued her friendship.

Brendon arrived at Villa Pianezzo just as the twain were starting on
their missions, and he and Peter walked to the landing stage with
them and saw them departing in different steamers.

Even this arrangement, however, failed to satisfy Ganns. He was
mysterious.

"If his steamboat stopped nowhere between here and Como, we wouldn't
need to trouble," he said; "but as it does, and Doria might hop off
anywhere and come back in an hour, we'll just drift back to Albert."

"He will be asleep and we can have our yarn out without fear of
interruption," answered Mark.

They soon sat together on a shady seat of the villa garden from
which the entrance was visible, and Peter, bringing out his
notebook, took a great pinch of snuff, set his gold box on a little
table before him, and turned to Brendon.

"You shoot first," he said; "there are three things I need to know.
Have you seen the red man and what is your present opinion
concerning Doria and his wife? Needn't ask if you found Bendigo's
diary, because I am dead sure you did not."

"I didn't. I directed Jenny to have a hunt and she invited me to
help her. For the rest I have seen Robert Redmayne, for we may
safely speak of the unknown by that name, and I have come to a very
definite conclusion concerning Giuseppe Doria and the unfortunate
woman who is at present his wife."

A shadow of a smile passed