"There are strong reasons why the signorina should not return on board," he declared, with a mysterious air.
"As well as reasons why I should not number the Signor Keppel and his guests among my friends?" I asked.
"The signorina guesses right," he answered, with a sinister smile.
"Then I presume that I may be permitted to know those reasons?" I suggested. "One cannot well break off a friendship without some motive."
"Your own safety is sufficient motive, surely?" he argued.
"I am not in fear, and as far as I am aware there is no danger," I declared, endeavouring to show a bold front, and hoping that the old fellow would soon become more explicit. He apparently alluded to the conspiracy to blow up the yacht in order to hide old Keppel's secret.
"But our interests are mutual," he said, glancing at me sharply.
"How?"
"You are seeking to elucidate a mystery. So am I. You are endeavouring to discover the person who assassinated the young Signor Inglese at the Grand Hotel at Nizza. So am I."
"You!" I cried in surprise. "For what reason are you interesting yourself in the matter?"