e will be out of the country."

A warrant was immediately procured and an officer was detailed to
accompany me in case I should need his assistance. When we reached the
Continental Hotel I inquired for Senor Gairdi, only to be informed that
he had left the hotel soon after lunch.

"It is only what I expected," I said to my companion. "His suspicions
are aroused, and he is going to try and give us the slip."

"I think not," said the manager. "I fancy you will find that he is on
board the steamer. You must remember that she sails at daybreak."

We accordingly hastened to the river, and made our way to where the
steamer was lying. On arrival on board I inquired for the head-steward,
and when he put in an appearance inquired whether Senor Gairdi had come
aboard yet.

"He brought his luggage on board, and inspected his cabin about three
o'clock," that official replied, "and then went ashore again."

There was nothing for it therefore but for us to await his return.
Though we did not know it, we were in for a long spell, for it was not
until nearly nine o'clock that our man reappeared on board. He had just
crossed the gangway and was making his way along the promenade deck,
when I accosted him.

"May I have a word with you, Senor Gairdi?" I asked.

"Yes, certainly," he replied, speaking with only a slight foreign
accent. "What is it you want?"

I drew him a few paces further along the deck, so that, if possible, the
other passengers, who were standing near, should not hear what I had to
say to him.

"I have to tell you," I said, "that I hold a warrant for your arrest on
the charge of murdering one, Joseph Spainton, on the night of July the
nineteenth of this year. I must caution you that anything you may say
will be used as evidence against you."

The nearest electric light shone full and clear upon his face, and I
noticed that a queer expression had suddenly made its appearance upon
it. Apart from that, he did not seem at all surprised at his arrest.

"So you have found it out after all," he said. "I thought I was going to
evade suspicion and get away safely. You would not have caught me then.
It is Fate, I suppose."

He shrugged his shoulders and said something under his breath in
Italian.

"Must I go ashore with you?" he asked.

"If you please," I answered, marvelling that he should take it so
coolly.

Then turning his dark eyes upon me, he continued--

"Senor, in Italy I am a gentleman, and my name,