“Maybe I am,” he rejoined quietly. “You see, you do not know Sicily, and I do. You do not know its many clubs and bands of assassins, beside whom the so-called Russian Nihilists are simple, blundering children. The Mafia, which is the parent of all such murderous organisations, has members and agents in every town, village, and hamlet in Italy, in every post-office and barracks, in every trade and profession from the highest to the lowest in the land. The Sicilian police force is infested with it, so are the Italian customs. I would not trust either with what means my boy’s life and more to me.” “But----” “The police would suppress the evidence connected with the proofs which I hold. At the frontier the coat, the watch and chain would disappear; of that I am as convinced as that I am a living man----” Lady Molly made no comment. She was meditating. That there was truth in what the man said, no one could deny. The few details which we had gleaned over here of the hurried investigations, the summary commitment for trial of the accused, the hasty dismissal of all evidence in his favour, proved that, at any rate, the father’s anxiety was well founded. “But, then, what in the world do you propose to [IMAGE: images/img063.jpg CAPTION: “‘Well,’ said Lady Molly, ‘… what is it that you want us to do in the matter?’”] do?” said Lady Molly after a while. “Do you want to take the proofs over yourself to your boy’s advocate? Is that it?” “No, that would be no good,” he replied simply. “I am known in Sicily. I should be watched, probably murdered, too, and my death would not benefit my boy.” “But what then?” “My boy’s uncle is chief officer of police at Cividale, on the Austro-Italian frontier. I know that I can rely on his devotion. Mrs. Tadworth, whose interest in my boy is almost equal to my own, and whose connection with me cannot possibly be known out there, will take the proofs of my boy’s innocence to him. He will know what to do and how to reach my son’s advocate safely, which no one else could guarantee to do.” “Well,” said Lady Molly, “that being so, what is it that you want us to do in the matter?” “I want a lady’s help, miss--er--ma’am,” he replied, “someone who is able, willing, strong, and, if possible, enthusiastic, to accompany Mrs. Tadworth--perhaps in the capacity of a maid--just to avert the usual suspicious glances thrown at a lady travelling alone. Also the question of foreign languages comes in. The gentleman I saw at Scotland Yard said that if you cared to go he would give you a fortnight’s leave of absence.” “Yes, I’ll go!” rejoined Lady Molly, simply. 2 We sat in the study a long while after that--Mr. Shuttleworth, Lady Molly and I--discussing the plans of the exciting journey; for I, too, as you will see, was destined to play my small part in this drama which had the life or death of an innocent man for its _dénouement_.