"So our prodigal has returned," she remarked, smiling at Starling.
"We have rescued Mr. Starling from a solitary picnic upon his house-boat," Sabatini explained, suavely. "We cannot have our friends cultivating misanthropy."
Mr. Weatherley, who had returned from the boat-builder's, half rose from his chair and sat down again, frowning. He watched the two men cross the lawn towards the house. Then he turned to Ruth and shook his head.
"I have a great regard for Count Sabatini," he declared, "a great regard, but there are some of his friends—very many of them, in fact—whose presence here I could dispense with. That man is one of them. Do you know where he was a few nights ago, Miss Lalonde?"
She shook her head.
"In prison," Mr. Weatherley said, impressively; "arrested on a serious charge."
Her eyes asked him a question. He stooped towards her and lowered his voice.
"Murder," he whispered; "the murder of Mr. Rosario!"