“Signore,” he said, “I am afraid!”
“You—Gaspare!”
“I am afraid for the Signora. Why should she come here all alone with the fattura della morte? I am afraid for the Signora.”
The boat touched the edge of the rock to the right of the palace.
“And where has the Signora gone, Signore? I cannot see her, and I cannot hear her.”
He lifted up his hand. They listened. But they heard only the sucking murmur of the sea against the rocks perforated with little holes, and in distant, abandoned chambers of the palace.
“Where has the Signora gone?” Gaspare repeated, in a whisper.
“I will find the Signora,” said Artois.
He got up. Gaspare held his arm to assist him to the shore.
“Thank you.”