Why had this beautiful young girl come into his life at such a tragic time? Could it be possible? No! Perish the thought. Nothing but good could come from that sweet countenance that had enthralled him from the first glance. But, then, who was this uncle, Doctor Malsano? The very name was evil-sounding, and, in spite of his distinguished air, that swivel eye, with much else of his striking countenance, was sinister. Raife now felt certain that he had recognised a sneer on the man's face--a malicious sneer, when Gilda had snubbed him. These long minutes in that full flood of southern moonlight were fraught with much that might be good--or bad--for Sir Raife Remington, Bart. In spite of his passionate outburst in the long white room of the "Blue Boar," at Tunbridge Wells; in spite of his vehemently-declared intention to win that beautiful girl for his wife--or die--he was possessed of a premonition of danger ahead. Again his father's dying words rang in his ears, and the blood-stained chamber, the scene in his ancestral hall of his father's cruel murder, came vividly before him, and he was tempted to "beware of the trap." In such mood he turned on his heel and sauntered yet a little farther from the Hotel Royal, where he was staying with his bereaved mother. The southern lands are the lands of intrigue and mystery. They are the lands of deepest nights and brightest days, and that alternating intensity enters into the characters of the peoples who inhabit them. As Raife was lighting a second cigar, he was vaguely conscious of a young boy or girl who dodged in the shadows behind him. The strongest man likes to meet his friends face to face, but a potential foe lurking in shadows on a moonlight night in a southern land, is disconcerting. Watching an opportunity, therefore, Raife wheeled suddenly around, and making a dash for the youngster, secured him. The young girl, who appeared to be about thirteen years of age, did not seem alarmed, but smiled seductively, saying: "Signor Raife! meet a preety signora. Meea take you there." At the same time, the girl handed Raife a piece of paper on which was written: "Quite safe. Follow the girl." Again those words of warning from his dying father. Was this the trap. In his present mood he did not care, and welcomed an adventure even if it should be dangerous. He followed the little girl. CHAPTER SEVEN. WHO WAS THE APACHE?