He looked
straight into the smuggler's face.
"Would I do it?" he repeated. "Look at her!"
There was no need for further explanations;
in saying that he had said all. Marcone turned
and looked across the room.
She had not moved since their conversation
began. There was no doubt, no fear, even no
grief in her face; there was nothing in it but the
shadow of death. The smuggler's eyes filled with
tears as he looked at her.
"Make haste, Michele!" he said, throwing open
the verandah door and looking out. "Aren't you
nearly done, you two? There are a hundred and
fifty things to do!"
Michele, followed by Gino, came in from the
verandah.
"I am ready now," he said. "I only want to
ask the signora----"
He was moving towards her when Martini
caught him by the arm.
"Don't disturb her; she's better alone."
"Let her be!" Marcone added. "We shan't do
any good by meddling. God knows, it's hard enough
on all of us; but it's worse for her, poor soul!"
CHAPTER V.
FOR a week the Gadfly lay in a fearful state.
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