"Good-day, Monsieur José," he said briefly, and then we strode away to where Jacko was still patiently waiting. He mounted and rode on, leaving me far behind, for the sun was high in the heavens, and the heat was great. When I reached home he had gone to his room, and on trying the door softly I found it locked. So I stole away again down-stairs and waited.
Hour after hour passed, but still he did not come down. At last, to my inexpressible relief, I heard the door of his room open, and he slowly descended. He opened the door and stood before me, gaunt and hollow-eyed, but with an air of resolution about him which struck me with a chill foreboding.
I greeted him cheerfully, and asked whether I should have some lunch brought in for him, but he took no notice.
"Hugh," he said quietly, "I wonder whether you would mind riding into Palermo with this letter and bringing me an answer."
I rose up and took it at once, glancing nervously at the address. As I had feared, it was directed to Burton Leigh, Esq.
"I will go, father," I said; and with a heavy heart I saddled Jacko and started off. In the grounds of Lord Parkhurst's villa, fast asleep in a miniature kiosk, I came upon Mr. Leigh. I woke him and gave him the note.
He read it through, and when he had finished smiled as though well pleased.
"Tell your father," he said, "that I will breakfast with him to-morrow morning. You are coming up to the villa?"
But I shook my head and turned away. I was in no mood for Lord Parkhurst's kindly talk or Lady Olive's merry chatter. Already I began to see that a great trouble was looming before me.