The fisherman looked grave and crossed himself.
"Oh, signore, it is terrible! They say the poor signore is dead!"
"Dead!" exclaimed the doctor, startled. "You said is was an accident. Dead you say now?"
"Signore, he is dead beyond a doubt. I was going to the fishing when I heard dreadful cries in the water by the inlet—you know, by Salvatore's terreno!"
"In the water?"
"Si, signore. I went down quickly and I found Gaspare, the signore's—"
"I know—I know!"
"Gaspare in a boat with the padrone lying at the bottom, and the signora standing up to her middle in the sea."
"Z't! z't!" exclaimed the doctor, "the signora in the sea! Is she mad?"
"Signor Dottore, how do I know? I brought the boat to shore. Gaspare was like one crazed. Then we lifted the signore out upon the stones. Oh, he is dead, Signor Dottore; dead beyond a doubt. They had found him in the sea—"