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He smiled to see her and took off his great slouch hat. "My beloved Virgilio was overjoyed that I should have found the famous book the veritable Italian edition of Sir Thomas Browne his 'Pseudodoxia Epidemica. A red-letter day for us both! But but " He looked at Jenny's frightened eyes and felt her hand upon his sleeve. "Why, what is wrong? You are alarmed. No ill news of Giuseppe?"
Ganns," he said, "is my best friend in the world save and excepting one man only. He my first and most precious intimate dwells at Bellagio, on the opposite side of Lake Como from myself. Signor Virgilio Poggi is a bibliophile of European eminence and the most brilliant of men a great genius and my dearest associate for twenty-five years.
"A sense of ill darkens my mind a suspicion of finality, and Jenny shares it. Something is amiss. She has a presentiment that it is so. It may be, as she suspects, that my second self is not happy either. Virgilio and I are as twins. We have become strangely and psychologically linked together. I am sure that he is uneasy on my account at this moment.
"Already I suspect the explanation that you have had of Mrs. Doria's sufferings. It is tolerably clear to me that she knows more than we do, and has some secret of her husband's that is causing her unhappiness." "A theory capable of proof. You'll see a good deal of the dame during the coming week and the time oughtn't to be wasted, if what you think is true." On the steamer stood Virgilio Poggi.
We might have killed Albert a thousand times and left no sign a fact that brings me to that part of my recital I most deplore. But a measure of delay was necessary that we might learn the market value of his books otherwise Virgilio Poggi would doubtless have robbed us after the old man's death.
Well, we went out and came in; going to see the sights, and returning. Amongst other things we saw was the burning mountain, and the tomb of a certain sorcerer called Virgilio, who made witch rhymes, by which he could raise the dead. Plenty of people came to see us, both English and Italians, and amongst the rest the priest.
Assunta told them how an Italian had reached the steps in a skiff from Bellagio; how he had called her and broken the evil news that Signor Poggi was fallen dangerously ill; and how he sent entreaties to his friends to see him without delay. "Virgilio Poggi has had a fatal fall and is dying," said the messenger. "He prays Signor Redmayne to fly to him before it is too late."
"But since you think it wise, I will beg him to hasten and tell him what has happened. Meanwhile what of to-night and to-morrow night?" "To-night I go across the water to Bellagio and you come with me. It is impossible that Robert should know we are there. Virgilio Poggi will take care of us and be very jealous for me if I hint that I am in any danger." "I'm sure he will.
"It is romance," declared Virgilio, "but romance of a very grim and painful description. You are, however, safe enough with me, for I would gladly shed my blood to save yours." "Well I know it, rare Virgilio," declared the other. "But we shall not long impose ourselves upon your courage and generosity.
What romance is this, Signora Jenny, that throws danger into the path of your dear uncle?" "It is the sudden threat and terror of my vanished brother," explained Mr. Redmayne. "You are familiar, Virgilio, with the terrible facts concerning Robert's appearance and Bendigo's disappearance.
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