"Si, signore," said Gaspare.
He looked at Salvatore, seemed to make a great effort, then added:
"But never when it was dark, signore. And I was always with him. He used to take my hand."
His chest began to heave.
"Corragio, Gaspare!" said Artois to him, in a low voice.
His strong intuition enabled him to understand something of the conflict that was raging in the boy. He had seen his glances at Salvatore, and felt that he was longing to fly at the fisherman, that he only restrained himself with agony from some ferocious violence.
The Pretore remained silent for a moment. It was evident that he was at a loss. He wished to appear acute, but the inquiry yielded nothing for the exercise of his talents.
At last he said:
"Did any one see you going to Messina? Is there any corroboration of your statement that you started before the signore came down here?"
"Do you think I am not speaking the truth, Signor Pretore?" said Salvatore, proudly. "Why should I lie? The poor signore was my benefactor. If I had known he was coming I should have been here to receive him. Why, he has eaten in my house! He has slept in my house. I tell you we were as brothers."