But Jenny showed no joy at this suggestion.

“I was to have had a peaceful month with you,” she pouted.

“So indeed I hoped; but it can hardly be peaceful now and I confess that the presence of Doria would go some way to compose my nerves.  He is powerful, cheerful, and full of resource.  He is also brave.  He remembers the past and he knows poor Robert by sight.  If, therefore, my brother is indeed near at hand and to be expected at any moment, then I should be glad of some capable person to stand between us.  Should my brother presently indicate, through you or somebody else, that he wants to see me alone by night, as in the case of Bendigo, then I must absolutely decline any such adventure.  We meet in the presence of armed men, or not at all.”

Jenny had left Doria for a time and apparently felt no desire to see him again until her promised visit to her uncle should be ended.

“I heard from Giuseppe three days ago,” she said.  “He has left Ventimiglia and gone to Turin, where he used to work and where he has many friends.  He has a project.”

“I shall speak with him seriously when next we meet,” declared the old man.  “I entertain great admiration for your attractive spouse, as you know.  He is a delightful person; but it is time we consider the future of your twenty thousand pounds and yourself, Jenny.  In the course of nature all that is mine will also be yours, and when the estate of poor Bendigo is wound up, my present income must be nearly doubled.  Leave to presume death, however, may be delayed.  But the fact remains that you will enjoy the Redmayne money sooner or later, and I want to come to grips with Giuseppe and explain to him that he must understand his responsibilities.”

Jenny sighed.

“Nobody will make him understand them, uncle.”

“Do not say so.  He is intelligent and has, I am sure, a sense of honour as well as a deep and devoted affection for you.  But he must not spend your money.  I will not allow that.  Write to him at Turin and entreat him from me to abandon anything that he may have in hand and join us instantly here.  We need not keep him long; but he can look after us for a while until we learn when Ganns and Brendon are to be expected.”

Jenny promised, without much enthusiasm, to call her husband to the rescue.

“He will laugh and perhaps refuse to come,” she said.  “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.  And should you not warn the police about Uncle Robert and give them a description of him?”

“I’m not sure as to that.  We will consider to-morrow.  I little like the ways of the Italian police.”