myself. I am not a dog in the manger. I want peace and quietness. I
have no use for intrigues and plots. I am a plain man, Signor
Pietro. Mystery bores me. Moreover I live in fear of getting into a
mess myself. I do not see where I come in at all. My wife and this
unknown rascal are after something; and if you want to get to the
bottom of this, watch her--not me. The blow you fear may fall at any
moment."

"You'd say trail Jenny?"

"That is what I would say. Sooner or later she'll make an excuse to
be off to the mountains alone. Let her start and then follow her up
with Brendon. The problem is surely simple enough: to catch this red
Redmayne. If you cannot do it, tell the police and the doganieri.
There is a force of smuggler hunters always on the spot and ready to
your hand. Describe this savage, human fox and offer a big reward
for his brush. He will be caught quickly enough then."

Mr. Ganns nodded and stood still.

"I shouldn't wonder if that may not have to be done; but I'd a deal
sooner take him ourselves if we could. Anyway I must get a move on
this fortnight, for to stop longer in Italy is impossible. Yet how
am I going to beat it and leave my old friend at the mercy of this
threat? While I'm alongside him, he's safe, I guess; but what may
happen as soon as I turn my back?"

"Can I not help you?"

But Mr. Ganns shook his head.