"Because--because friendship between us must never, never be; it would be fatal to you, just as it would be fatal to me! Death--yes, death--will come to me quickly and swiftly--perhaps to-night, perhaps to-morrow, perhaps in a week's time. For it, I am quite prepared. All is lost--lost to me for ever! Only have a care of yourself, I beseech of you! Heed what I say. Escape the cruel fate which your enemies have marked out for you--escape while there is yet time, and--and," she faltered in a low, hoarse voice, full of emotion, "some day in the future, perhaps, you will give a passing thought to the memory of a woman who revealed to you the truth--who saved you from an untimely end--the unhappy woman without a friend!" "But I will be your friend!" I repeated. "No. That can never be--_never_!" and she shuddered. "I dare not risk it. Reflect--and escape--get away in secret, and take care that you are not followed. Remember, however, we can never be friends. Such a course would be fatal--yes, alas! _fatal_!" Instinctively she put out her tiny white hand in frank farewell. Then, when I had held it for a second in my own, she turned and, drawing her shawl about her, hurried back to the big hotel. Utterly dumbfounded, I stood for a few seconds dazed and wondering, the sweet odour of Rose d'Orsay filling my nostrils. What did she know? Then suddenly I held my breath, for there I saw for the first time, standing back in the shadow of the trees, straight before me, motionless as a statue, the tall, dark figure of a man who had evidently watched us the whole time, and who had, no doubt, overheard all our conversation! CHAPTER THREE THE CLERGYMAN FROM HAMPSHIRE What was the meaning of it all? Why had that tall, mysterious stranger watched so intently? I looked across at him, but he did not budge, even though detected. In a flash, all the strange warnings of Sylvia Pennington crowded upon my mind. I stood facing the man as he lurked there in the shadow, determined that he should reveal his face. Those curious words of the mysterious girl had placed me upon my mettle. Who were the unknown enemies of mine who were conspiring against me? Should I take her advice and leave Gardone, or should I remain on my guard, and hand them over to the police at first sign of attack? The silent watcher did not move. He stood back there in the darkness, motionless as a statue, while I remained full in the light of the moon, which had now come forth, causing the lake and mountains to look almost fairy-like. In order to impress upon him the fact that I was in no hurry, I lit a cigarette, and seated myself upon the low wall of the terrace, softly whistling an air of the cafe chantant. The night was now glorious, the mountain crests showing white in the moonlight. Who was this man, I wondered? I regretted that we had not discovered his presence before Sylvia had left. She would, no doubt, have recognized him, and told me the reason of his watchfulness.