“Save me and I will come to you,” she promised.  “I am hoodwinked and deceived no longer.  He even owns the trap and laughs horribly at me by night.  He only wants my money, but thankfully would I give him every penny, if by so doing I could be free of him.”

And Brendon listened with a rapture that was almost incredulous; for she loved him at last and desired nothing better than to come to him and forget the double tragedy that had ruined her young life.

She was in his arms now and he sought to soothe her, sustain her and bring her mind to regard a future wherein peace, happiness and content might still be her portion.  Another hour passed, the fireflies danced over their heads; sweet scents stole through the garden; lights twinkled from the house; on the lake in the silence that now fell between them they heard the gentle thud of a steamer’s propeller.  Still Doria did not return and as a church clock struck the hour Jenny rose.  Already she had knelt at his feet and called him her saviour.  Now, still dreaming of the immense change in his fortunes, already occupied with the means that must be taken to free his future wife, Mark was brought back to the present.

Jenny left him to seek Assunta; and he, hearing the steamer and guessing that Peter was at hand, hastened to the house.  Silence seemed to fill it, and, as he lifted his voice and called to Albert Redmayne, the noise on the water ceased.  No answer reached Mark, and from the library he proceeded to the adjoining bedroom.  It was empty and he hastened out upon the veranda above the lake.  But still the book lover did not appear.  A long, black vessel with all lights out had anchored a hundred yards from the Villa Pianezzo, and now a boat put off from the craft of the lake police and paddled to the steps below Brendon.

At the same moment Jenny joined him.

“Where is Uncle Albert?” she asked.

“I do not know.  I have called him and got no answer.”

“Mark!” she cried with a voice of fear.  “Is it possible—­” She moved into the house and lifted her voice.  Then Brendon heard Assunta answer and in a moment there followed a horrified exclamation from the younger woman.

But Brendon had descended the steps to meet the approaching boat.  His mind was still in a whirl of mingled emotions.  Above him, as he steadied the boat, stood Jenny and she spoke swiftly.

“He is not in the house!  Oh, come quickly if that is Mr. Ganns.  My uncle has gone across the water and my husband has not returned.”

Peter, with four men, quickly landed and Brendon spoke.  He could give no details, however, and Jenny furnished them.  While she and Mark sat in the garden, guarding the front door and front gate, behind them to the house there had come a message by boat for Mr. Redmayne from Bellagio.  Perhaps there was but one appeal powerful enough to make Albert forget his promises or the danger that he had been assured now threatened him; but it was precisely this demand which had made the old man hasten away.