The instant Talbot heard footsteps he naturally turned to see who it was that approached, and he also was amazed to find Edith's wondering eyes fixed upon him at a distance of only a few feet. She nodded her head and placed a warning finger upon her lips. As it happened, Daubeney caught her in the act, and for the next few moments that gentleman's emotions were intense, not to say painful. "Who would have thought it?" he muttered to himself. "A girl like her making secret signs to a dirty scoundrel of that sort. The beggar was good-looking, of course; but what--well, I give it up. Poor old Fairholme! What funny creatures women are, to be sure!" How much further this soliloquy might have proceeded he knew not, for Edith sharply interrupted his thoughts. "You seem to be preoccupied, Mr. Daubeney. What has happened?" she inquired. "I--I--really don't know." His distress was so unmistakable that her quick woman's wit divined the true cause. They had now sauntered some distance away from the part of the tower that might be marked "dangerous," so she grasped Jimmy's ponderous arm, and whispered with a delightful smile-- "You saw me make signs to that Frenchman, didn't you?" "Well--er--I--er----" "Oh, yes, I understand. Of course you were surprised. But don't jump now, or say anything; he is my brother!" She need not have warned Daubeney as to any remarks he might feel inclined to make, for her announcement again rendered him speechless. "It is a mystery," she whispered, "a deep secret. We will tell you all about it at lunch." CHAPTER XVIII TALBOT'S ADVENTURES Although Miss Talbot spoke so confidently of revelations to accompany the expected meal, it is idle to pretend that any of the three people who were cognizant of Talbot's mysterious appearance on the island betrayed undue haste to return to the waiting lunch. Sublimely unconscious of the excitement raging in their breasts, Sir Hubert Fitzjames could not understand why they each and all answered him in such a flurried manner when he dilated upon the beauties of the bay. Finally he turned to Edith with an air of apprehension. "I fear," he said, "that your expedition of last night has upset you. Have you a headache?" Then she could contain her news no longer. Drawing him close to the rampart, and bending down so as to apparently take a deep interest in the laughing excursionists beneath, she murmured-- "Listen to me carefully, uncle. Don't look around. Have you noticed the party of Turks and a Frenchman grouped together in the opposite corner?" "Yes," he said. "You do not mean to tell me that they are the people whom Mr. Brett met this morning at the station?" "Yes, unquestionably they are. Had your attention not been otherwise taken up you must have recognized them from their description. But the most marvellous thing remains. You know the little turret close to which they are standing?" "Yes."