"That must be Maddalena!" he thought.
"Scusi, signore," he said, "but I have been seriously ill. The ride down here has tired me, and I should be glad to rest for a few minutes longer, if—" He looked at Salvatore.
"I will fetch a chair for the signore!" said the fisherman, quickly.
He did not know what this stranger wanted, but he felt instinctively that it was nothing that would be harmful to him.
The Pretore and his companions, after polite inquiries as to the illness of Artois, took their leave with many salutations. Only Gaspare remained on the edge of the plateau staring at the sea. As Salvatore went to fetch the chair Artois went over to the boy.
"Gaspare!" he said.
"Si!" said the boy.
"I want you to go up with the Pretore. Go to the signora. Tell her the inquiry is finished. It will relieve her to know."
"You will come with me, signore?"
"No."