And he laughed.

That is all." A low growl from Nino interrupted the conversation.

It was very low and long and then rose quickly and ended in a short bark, as the dog gathered his powerful hindquarters suddenly and raised himself, bristling all over and thrusting his sinewy forepaws out before him.
Then the growl began again, but Ercole touched him lightly with the toe of his hob-nailed boot, and the dog was instantly silent.

Both men looked about, but no one was to be seen.
"There is a boat on the beach," said Padre Francesco, who had caught the faint soft sound of the keel running upon the sand.
They both rose, Ercole picking up his gun as he did so; Nino, seeing that his master was on the alert, slunk to his heels without growling any more.

A moment later a man's voice was heard calling on the other side of the tower.
"Hi! Watchman of the tower! A favour! Watchman of the tower! Hi!" Padre Francesco turned the corner, followed by Ercole.