And the idea that suddenly dawned upon me was, after all, more in the nature of a genuine inspiration than the result of reasoning.

As we proceeded we came to the abrupt turn where the path left the wall, and took up a direct line for the casa itself.

Here stood the little toolhouse of the gardener.

We had seen it twice before, and on each occasion I had given it but a cursory glance, but now it suddenly appealed to me with almost irresistible persuasion.

“Stop here—I have a plan!” I exclaimed.

Fortunately, the hottest part of the hunt seemed to cover other parts of the gardens, and this particular section was as yet free to us.

“What have you found?” demanded Robbins.

I pointed to the gardener’s toolhouse.

“Bah! they will surely search that.”

“But I don’t mean to hide,” I said.