“The third time, you mean, you will have the crew of the ‘Red Earl’ to help,” I said.

“Do you hear him?” he asked, turning to my wife.

“I hear two men speaking like cowards,” said she.  “I should despise myself either to think or speak like that.  And neither of you believe one word that you are saying, which makes it the more wicked and silly.”

“She’s a trump!” cried Northmour.  “But she’s not yet Mrs. Cassilis.  I say no more.  The present is not for me.”

Then my wife surprised me.

“I leave you here,” she said suddenly.  “My father has been too long alone.  But remember this:  you are to be friends, for you are both good friends to me.”

She has since told me her reason for this step.  As long as she remained, she declares that we two would have continued to quarrel; and I suppose that she was right, for when she was gone we fell at once into a sort of confidentiality.

Northmour stared after her as she went away over the sand hill.

“She is the only woman in the world!” he exclaimed with an oath.  “Look at her action.”

I, for my part, leaped at this opportunity for a little further light.

“See here, Northmour,” said I; “we are all in a tight place, are we not?”

“I believe you, my boy,” he answered, looking me in the eyes, and with great emphasis.  “We have all hell upon us, that’s the truth.  You may believe me or not, but I’m afraid of my life.”

“Tell me one thing,” said I.  “What are they after, these Italians?  What do they want with Mr. Huddlestone?”

“Don’t you know?” he cried.  “The black old scamp had carbonari funds on a deposit—­two hundred and eighty thousand; and of course he gambled it away on stocks.  There was to have been a revolution in the Tridentino, or Parma; but the revolution is off, and the whole wasp’s nest is after Huddlestone.  We shall all be lucky if we can save our skins.”

“The carbonari!” I exclaimed; “God help him indeed!”

“Amen!” said Northmour.  “And now, look here:  I have said that we are in a fix; and, frankly, I shall be glad of your help.  If I can’t save Huddlestone, I want at least to save the girl.  Come and stay in the pavilion; and, there’s my hand on it, I shall act as your friend until the old man is either clear or dead.  But,” he added, “once that is settled, you become my rival once again, and I warn you—­mind yourself.”

“Done!” said I; and we shook hands.

“And now let us go directly to the fort,” said Northmour; and he began to lead the way through the rain.

VI