"Be patient with me yet a moment. We were both avowedly masquerading during those weeks of boyish frolic at Palermo; do you know who I am?"
"No more than I knew then: that you were a European, and evidently of position."
"You have more liberty than some of those here, I think."
"Yes; I am what they call a trusty;" the straight line between the fine brows deepened markedly.
"I beg your pardon; I do not ask from curiosity. My yacht is anchored before this place—if I return through here in an hour, on my way to it, can you be here still?"
Allard hesitated.
"I believe so, but I would prefer not. I can aid you no further; and—"
"And?"
For an instant the curtain was withdrawn from the prisoner's clear eyes.
"You wake what is better asleep. It is not pleasant for me to meet you, monsieur."