Jenny left him to seek Assunta; and he, hearing the steamer and
guessing that Peter was at hand, hastened to the house. Silence
seemed to fill it, and, as he lifted his voice and called to Albert
Redmayne, the noise on the water ceased. No answer reached Mark, and
from the library he proceeded to the adjoining bedroom. It was
empty and he hastened out upon the veranda above the lake. But
still the book lover did not appear. A long, black vessel with all
lights out had anchored a hundred yards from the Villa Pianezzo, and
now a boat put off from the craft of the lake police and paddled to
the steps below Brendon.

At the same moment Jenny joined him.

"Where is Uncle Albert?" she asked.

"I do not know. I have called him and got no answer."

"Mark!" she cried with a voice of fear. "Is it possible--" She moved
into the house and lifted her voice. Then Brendon heard Assunta
answer and in a moment there followed a horrified exclamation from
the younger woman.

But Brendon had descended the steps to meet the approaching boat.
His mind was still in a whirl of mingled emotions. Above him, as he
steadied the boat, stood Jenny and she spoke swiftly.

"He is not in the house! Oh, come quickly if that is Mr. Ganns. My
uncle has gone across the water and my husband has not returned."