294 IN MAREMMA.

will have told you of me ; I am the grand- son of the brother of J oconda

‘ You are generous,’ said Este.

There was a tone in the words that drew fire from the calm eyes of Sanctis as steel does from the flint-stone.

‘ It does not matter what I am,’ he said, with efl'ort keeping his patience. ‘ What matters now is the loss of a moment. These hill—men come on a devil’s errand in hope to get man’s godhead. Let them find me here alone. They will find with me dogs that bite.’

He showed the steel of his pistols that- he wore in a belt about his waist.

She broke from Este and came up to him and gazed at him with passionate, im- ploring, searching eyes that tried to read his inmost soul.

‘ You will not betray him?’ she said under her breath. ‘Now you know why I said that I must kill you if you told ’

Sanctis drew away from her.

‘ I am not a spy of the police,’ he said coldly. ‘ You may be satisfied of that.’

She looked at him in silence.

She did not doubt him, yet she was afraid.