"What can all this mean? Albert told me of no papers by this day's mail. Viola! I never heard him mention such a name. He said to me, `Read this, and all will be explained.' I'll be hanged if I am not as much in the dark as ever! Follow them in my carriage with the treasure--never says where! I presume he is about to run off with some rich heiress. Confound this sky-blue domino! Here I am with two papers, a packet, a stiletto, and a ring; I am to receive another packet, and am to convey treasure. Well, it must solve itself--I will back to my post; but first let me see what is in this paper which I am to affix upon the man's dress after I have killed him." I held it up to the light, and read, in capital letters, "The reward of a traitor!" "Short and pithy," muttered I, as I replaced it in my pocket: "now I'll back to the place of assignation, for the hour must be nearly expired." As I retraced my steps, I again reverted to the communication of Viola--"Surrounded as we are by stilettoes on every side!" Why, surely Albert cannot be the person that I am required by the black domino to despatch; and yet it may be so--and others are to join me here before the hour is passed. A thought struck me: whoever the party might be whose life was to be taken, whether Albert or another, I could save him. My reverie was again broken by a tap on the shoulder. "Am I right? What is the pass-word?" "Milano!" replied I, in a whisper. "All's right, then--Giacomo and Tomaso are close by--I will fetch them." The man turned away, and in a minute re-appeared with two others, bending as they forced their way under the orange-trees. "Here we all are, Felippo," whispered the first. "_He_ is to be here in a few minutes." "Hush!" replied I, in a whisper, and holding up to them the brilliant ring which sparkled on my finger. "Ah, Signor, I cry your mercy," replied the man, in a low voice; "I thought it was Felippo." "Not so loud," replied I, still in a whisper. "All is discovered, and Felippo is arrested. You must away immediately. You shall hear from me to-morrow." "Corpo di Bacco! Where, Signor? at the old place?" "Yes away--now, and save yourselves." In a few seconds the desperate men disappeared among the trees, and I was left alone. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Slaves of the Ring, you have done my bidding at all events, this time," thought I, and I looked at the ring more attentively. It was a splendid solitaire diamond, worth many hundred crowns. "Will you ever find your way back to our lawful owner?" was the question in my mind when Albert made his appearance in his violet-coloured domino. "'Twas imprudent of you to send me the paper by the black domino," said he, hastily. "Did I not tell you that I would be here in an hour? We have not a moment to spare. Follow me quickly, and be silent."