At the end of that walk we saw ahead of us a handsome white edifice, built of stucco, and of the summer-house order.

It stood on a small plateau on the first slope of the cliff and commanded an exquisite view of the bay, the blue waters of which lay some two hundred feet or so below it.
"His Excellency is in there," said the old man, in his Sicilian patois.
"Very good, in that case you can leave us," said the officer, "we can find our way to him ourselves." The old man turned and left us, without another word, very well pleased, I fancy, to get out of the way of that functionary.

Goodness only knows what memories of stolen vegetables and fruit had risen in his mind.
"Before we go in," I said, "would it not be as well to be prepared for any emergencies?
Remember he is not a man who would stick at much." We accordingly arranged our plan of attack in case it should be necessary, and then approached the building.

As we drew nearer the sound of voices reached our ears.

At first I was not able to recognize them, but as we ascended the steps to the pavilion, I was able to grasp the real facts of the case.
"Good Heavens!" I muttered to myself, "that's Kitwater's voice." Then turning to Leglosse, I whispered, "We're too late, they're here before us." It certainly was Kitwater's voice I had heard, but so hoarse with fury that at any other time I should scarcely have recognized it.
"Cover him, Codd," he was shouting, "and if he dares to move shoot him down like the dog he is.