"What more natural? How could you assume otherwise? Only an insane man would have killed Madonna's husband, and only a very sane one would have escaped the sleuths afterward. So you argued that he was mad and then sane again; yet now he has gone mad once more." Brendon desired to be at Dartmouth as swiftly as possible, so that a search might be instituted at dawn. Doria considered whether he might make best speed by road or water, and decided that he could bring Mark more quickly to the seaport in the launch than along the highway. "We must, however, return by the tunnel," he said, "for there is no other route by which we can get back to the boat." Brendon agreed and they descended the zigzag path and then, from the plateau, reëntered the tunnel and presently reached the steps again and the cavern beneath. Extinguishing the lamp, which still burned steadily, they were soon afloat, and under a tremor of dawn the little vessel cut her way at her best speed, flinging a sheaf of foam from her bows and leaving a white wake on the still and leaden-coloured sea. They saw a figure beneath the flagstaff at "Crow's Nest" and both recognized Jenny Pendean. She made no signal, but the sight of her evidently disturbed Giuseppe's mind. He stopped the boat and appealed to Brendon. "My heart is in my mouth," he said. "A sudden fear has overtaken me. This madman--it may be that he has turned against his own and those who are his best friends. There is a thing lunatics will do. It follows--while we are away--do you not see? There are only two women at 'Crow's Nest' now, and he might come and make a clean sweep--is it not so?" "You think that?" "With God and the devil all things are possible," answered the other, his eyes lifted to the house on the cliffs. "You're right. Run in. There may be a danger for her." Doria was triumphant. "Even you do not think of everything," he cried; but the other did not answer. On him lay a load of responsibility and a heavy sense of failure. He directed Doria how to act, however. "Tell Mrs. Pendean and the servant to lock up the house and then join us," he said. "They had better come to Dartmouth, and they can return presently with you, after you have landed me. Beg that they do not delay a moment." Doria obeyed and in ten minutes returned with Jenny, dazed and pale, and the frightened domestic still fumbling at her bodice buttons. They were both in great fear and full of words; but Brendon begged them to be quiet. He warned Jenny that the worst was to be dreaded for her uncle, and their awful news reduced her to silence quickly enough. Thus they sped on their way, leaped between the harbour heads before sunrise, and soon came ashore at the landing stage. Doria's work was now done and, having directed him to take the women back, Mark bade them all keep the house until more news should reach them.