“It depends upon circumstances.  Even granted poison, many an honest man and woman has been the innocent tool of a murderer’s will.”

“True enough; but we are wasting time upon an improbability.  I do not myself think it will be attempted.  It is the line of least resistance and the line of least resistance generally means the lines of greatest risk afterward.  No—­he’ll do something smarter than that if he gets half a chance.  The grand danger would be that Doria should find himself alone with Albert, even for a moment.  That is the situation to circumvent and avoid at any cost.  Let nothing induce you to lose sight of one or other; and even should Doria obviously make a run for it before I return, don’t be deceived by that, or go after him.  He may adopt any ruse to get you guessing when I have gone—­that is, if he suspects me of some immediate step.  But if I go without leading him to feel any very grave suspicion as to my object in going, we may surprise him before his own stroke is struck.  That, in a word, is our objective.”

An hour later the detectives saw Signor Poggi to his boat and then walked home with Mr. Redmayne.  Peter had provender concealed about his person and presently he explained to his friend that things were now come to a climax.

“In twenty-four hours I hope we’re through with our mysteries and plots, Albert,” he said; “but during that time you’ve got to obey me in every particular and so help me to set you free from this abomination hanging over you.  I can trust you; and you must trust me and Mark here till to-morrow night.  You’ll soon be at peace again with your troubles ended.”

Albert thanked Ganns and expressed his satisfaction that a conclusion was in sight.

“I have seen through the glass darkly,” he told them.  “Indeed I cannot say that I have seen through the glass at all.  I am entirely mystified and shall be glad indeed to know this horror with which I am threatened may be removed.  Only my absolute trust in you, dear Peter, has prevented me from becoming distracted.”

At the villa Brendon left them and Jenny welcomed her uncle.  The girl begged Mark to come in for a while before returning; but it was late and Mr. Ganns declared that everybody must retire.

“Look us up early, Mark,” he directed.  “Albert tells me there are some old pictures at Como that have got a lot of kick in them.  Maybe we’ll all go down the lake for a pleasure party to-morrow, if he thinks it good.”

For a moment Brendon and Jenny stood alone before he departed; and she whispered to him.

“Something has happened to Doria to-night.  He is struck dumb since his walk with Mr. Ganns.”

“Is he at home?”

“Yes; he went to bed many hours ago.”

“Avoid him,” answered Mark.  “Avoid him as far as possible, without rousing his suspicion.  Your torments may be at an end sooner than you think for.”

He departed without more words.  But he presented himself early on the following day.  And it was Jenny who first saw him.  Then Peter Ganns joined them.