“His Excellency is in there,” said the old man, in his Sicilian patois.

“Very good, in that case you can leave us,” said the officer, “we can find our way to him ourselves.”

The old man turned and left us, without another word, very well pleased, I fancy, to get out of the way of that functionary.  Goodness only knows what memories of stolen vegetables and fruit had risen in his mind.

“Before we go in,” I said, “would it not be as well to be prepared for any emergencies?  Remember he is not a man who would stick at much.”

We accordingly arranged our plan of attack in case it should be necessary, and then approached the building.  As we drew nearer the sound of voices reached our ears.  At first I was not able to recognize them, but as we ascended the steps to the pavilion, I was able to grasp the real facts of the case.

“Good Heavens!” I muttered to myself, “that’s Kitwater’s voice.”  Then turning to Leglosse, I whispered, “We’re too late, they’re here before us.”

It certainly was Kitwater’s voice I had heard, but so hoarse with fury that at any other time I should scarcely have recognized it.

“Cover him, Codd,” he was shouting, “and if he dares to move shoot him down like the dog he is.  You robbed us of our treasure, did you?  And you sneaked away at night into the cover of the jungle, and left us to die or to be mutilated by those brutes of Chinese.  But we’ve run you down at last, and now when I get hold of you, by God, I’ll tear your eyes and your tongue out, and you shall be like the two men you robbed and betrayed.  Keep your barrel fixed on him, Codd, I tell you!  Remember if he moves you are to fire.  Oh!  Gideon Hayle, I’ve prayed on my bended knees for this moment, and now it’s come and——­”

At this moment we entered the room to find Hayle standing with his back to the window that opened into the balcony, which in its turn overlooked the somewhat steep slope that led to the cliff and the sea.  Codd was on the left of the centre table, a revolver in his hand, and a look upon his face that I had never seen before.  On the other side of the table was Kitwater, with a long knife in his hand.  He was leaning forward in a crouching position, as if he were preparing for a spring.  On hearing our steps, however, he turned his sightless face towards us.  It was Hayle, however, who seemed the most surprised.  He stared at me as if I were a man returned from the dead.

“Put up that revolver, Codd,” I cried.  “And you, Kitwater, drop that knife.  Hayle, my man, it’s all up.  The game is over, so you may as well give in.”

Leglosse was about to advance upon him, warrant in one hand and manacles in the other.

“What does this mean?” cried Hayle.