"What is it?"
"It will develop," said Hoddan.
Don Loris hesitated, essayed to speak, and thought better of it. He shrugged his shoulders and went slowly back to the flight of stone steps. He descended. The Lady Fani started to wring her hands. Then she said hopefully:
"What's your secret?"
"That your father thinks I have one," said Hoddan. "Thanks for the breakfast. Should I walk out the gate, or—"
"It's closed," said the Lady Fani forlornly. "But I have a rope for you. You can go down over the wall."
"Thanks," said Hoddan. "It's been a pleasure to rescue you."
"Will you—" Fani hesitated. "I've never known anybody like you before. Will you ever come back?"