Shortly after breakfast we obtained our first glimpse of Sicily.  It was a scene never to be forgotten.  The blue seas, the towering mountains rising apparently out of it, made up a picture that was lovely beyond compare.  Presently we steamed into the harbour, and made our way to the Dogana, where our luggage was examined.  Here we commenced our inquiries concerning Kitwater and Codd, and had the satisfaction of learning, on undeniable authority, that the story the boy had told us was correct.  Such terrible infirmities as theirs could scarcely fail to attract notice, and more than one of the officials remembered seeing and commiserating them.  On leaving the Dogana, they had travelled to the city by cab, so we were informed.

“The man who drove them is outside now,” said one of them.  “Perhaps the senor would care to question him.”

I replied that I should like very much to do so, and we accordingly went out into the street together.  It appeared that the cabman remembered his fares perfectly, the more so by reason of the fact that the blind man had sworn at him for not using greater speed in reaching the city.  He had driven them to some furnished lodgings kept by his cousin, he said, and was proceeding to recommend them to us, when I cut him short by informing him that we had already decided upon a hotel.  We thereupon entered the vehicle, he mounted the box, and we set off.  From the moment that we had set foot ashore Miss Kitwater had been growing more and more nervous.  When it was taken into consideration that before nightfall some very unpleasant things might happen, I do not think this fact is to be wondered at.  I pitied her from the bottom of my heart, and was prepared to do all that lay in my power to help her.  It was a strange change for her, from the quiet little village of Bishopstowe, to the pursuit of a criminal across Europe to an island in the Mediterranean.

“And when it is over?” was the question I asked myself on numerous occasions.  “What is going to happen then?  I suppose I shall bid her good-bye, she will thank me for the trouble I have taken, and then our acquaintance will be at an end.”

After that it had become my habit to heave a prodigious sigh, and to wonder whether she could ever be induced to——­

But somehow I never got much further with my speculations.  Was it likely she would ever think twice of me?  She was invariably kind and thoughtful; she deferred to me on everything, and seemed to think my opinions and actions must of necessity be right.  Apart from that I felt certain I had made no other impression upon her.

“Now, mon ami,” said Leglosse, when we had installed ourselves at our hotel, “I think it would be better that you should efface yourself for a time.  None of the men we are after know me, but Hayle and Codd would both recognize you at once.  Let me go into the town to make a few inquiries, and if they are satisfactory we shall know how to act.  Do your best to amuse mademoiselle, and I will hasten back to you as soon as I have anything to tell.”