xioned, and with a noble cast of countenance which
accorded well with his stately carriage and demeanour.

His features were stamped with an expression of stern gravity and
melancholy, which impressed me greatly at this, my first interview with
him, and which I could readily account for when I learned, later on, the
tragical fate of his lovely young wife many years before.

He greeted me with grave cordiality, expressing his deep regret "that I
had received so rough a welcome to the country which my presence had
been intended so signally to benefit, and hoping that he and his
household would prove able to efface the unfavourable impression which I
must have received."

Of course I replied in suitable terms to this polite speech, expressed
my gratitude for the extraordinary kindness which I was receiving under
his roof, and then begged him to favour me with particulars of the
circumstances under which I had become an inmate of his establishment.

"Certainly I will," said the count. "Your curiosity is quite natural,
and, apart from that, there are doubtless matters connected with your
visit to this island, which are at present causing you no small share of
anxiety. Before I say more, however, let me give you the assurance
that, excepting for the unfortunate adventure in which you received your
wound, everything has gone right; the despatches and other papers of
which you were the bearer have duly reached my hands; I have
accomplished the first and most difficult part of my mission, and the
papers are now accomplishing theirs. You may rest satisfied therefore
that your difficult and dangerous task has been successfully achieved,
and you have now nothing whatever to do but recover your health at your
leisure. I trust it is not necessary for me to say that the longer you
are able to remain with us, the greater will be our gratification."

He then proceeded to narrate the circumstances under which I had been
brought to the chateau; the details of which, however, I shall reserve
for the next chapter.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

AT THE CHATEAU PAOLI.

"To-day is Wednesday," commenced the count. "On Sunday evening last,
just as it was growing dusk, I was informed that Bell' Demonio requested
an audience on a matter of great import. I accordingly descended to the
library, into which this extraordinary woman had been shown, and on
inquiring the nature of her business she informed me that on the
previous Wednesday--a wee