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So he grinned, and sat down again. The outcome of these cross purposes was curious in many ways. As Mrs. Haxton foresaw, the jolly-boat was forbidden to land at the main wharf, and Royson discovered that the Austrian did not understand Italian.
Haxton was driven towards the fort. The Arab began his quest for Giuseppe Alfieri, but found him not, for the most convincing reason that Alfieri was then seated in the Governor's library, smoking the Governor's cigarettes, and drinking the Governor's best Capri. His Excellency had just returned from the hotel.
Haxton was sitting alone, with her veiled face propped on her hands, while, so malicious was fate's decree once more to Royson, that he was then hastening through malodorous lanes and crowded slums in order to save from threatened peril the very man whose downfall offered the only visible means by which he could bend his own frail fortunes in the direction that looked best to him.
I could not see what happened. But he is dead. Pay no heed to him. Tell me what is best to be done for you." "Dead! Ach, lieber Gott! That is good.... I I am finished I know.... Go to Mrs. Haxton. Tell her ... the treasure ... Fenshawe will be generous...." And that was all. He did not die instantly, but consciousness failed, and the soul soon fluttered out of the limp body with a sigh.
Still, the affair wore an ugly look, and tired though he was, Fenshawe had no thought of rest until the contradictory elements of a most perplexing business were sifted. He was seated near the fire with Royson and Stump. Irene had gone to Mrs. Haxton the instant she heard Dick's tragic story. "Has Mrs. Haxton thrown any light on events?" Fenshawe asked. "You say she was completely broken down.
And that is why I was vexed with you for leaving me this afternoon." Dick's heart gave a great throb of joy, and his voice was somewhat husky as he answered: "I could not help myself. The Italian whom you and Captain Stump noticed in the street was Alfieri. Mrs. Haxton saw him, too, and I would never have believed that terror could alter a woman's face as it altered hers.
He is as keen as any of us for the adventure, and he will be well paid if it succeeds." "You are a poor conspirator, my dear Franz," laughed Mrs. Haxton disagreeably. "If you were really the clever person you think yourself you would know that such a man may leaven the whole crew with his ideas of honor. And, when the pressure comes, he will have an excellent helper in that girl.
Haxton, apparently giving no heed to Royson, glanced listlessly at the wrappers and postmark. The task seemed to prove uninteresting. Soon she selected a periodical, and was about to open It when a remark from Irene caught her ear.
He persevered, put matters right, and was climbing down to the deck when, through the foresail, he heard voices discussing none other than himself. Mrs. Haxton and von Kerber had strolled, forward, and were leaning over the side of the ship, never dreaming that the man they were talking of was within a few feet of them above their heads, though hidden by the sail.
Irene said with a laugh that it was almost worth while being kidnapped for the sake of becoming a heroine, and Mr. Fenshawe yielded to the soothing influence of the hour in expressing the opinion that he expected to hear of the Baron's unconditional release early next day. "By the way," said the girl, speaking to the boatswain, "how was Mrs. Haxton when you left the yacht?"
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