"Yes; but let me tell you how it came about. It appears that Ucelli, the Syndic of Camajore, has been for a long time in the black books of his superior, the Minister of Justice. This is the piece of good fortune so far as you are concerned. As soon as he heard that Ucelli was suspected of having issued a false death certificate, he instantly said that such a charge must be immediately investigated. So far as I can make out, the Minister was delighted with the opportunity of making things particularly unpleasant for Ucelli, on whom he has had an eye for months. I imagine he is anxious to find a sufficient reason for removing him from his position. You will get the benefit of the Minister's being in this frame of mind. It is a lucky thing for you, and I hope it is a good omen of your success."

"Thank you again and again," said Gilbert. "I am infinitely indebted to your Excellency. What can I do to show how thankful I am?"

"There is one way," replied the Amba.s.sador, kindly. "I wish you to keep me informed of what takes place--I want to know the sequel to this strange story into which you have brought me."

"Oh, I shall be very glad to let you know what happens; I should have done that in any case. Now, your Excellency, what is the next move?"

"The Minister of Justice is determined that the matter shall be probed to the bottom," rejoined Lord Prestonkirk. "He is therefore sending to Camajore no less a person than his Deputy-Minister. I was rather surprised to hear it, for the Deputy-Minister is quite a great man, but it indicates the importance the Minister attaches to the investigation, and you may be sure it will be thorough."

"I am very glad to hear it," said Gilbert, but he had hardly uttered these words when a sort of dread came over him that Silwood's body might be found in the grave. He steadily refused, however, to let his mind dwell on this idea.

"All that remains for me to do now, Mr. Eversleigh," said the Amba.s.sador, "is to give you a line to the Minister of Justice by way of introduction; you had better go and call on him at once."

"Yes, I will do so."

Lord Prestonkirk wrote a short note, and handing it to Gilbert, wished him good-bye and good luck.

"Don't forget to let me know--eh--the sequel," smiled the Amba.s.sador, as he shook hands with Gilbert.

Arrived, within a few minutes of his leaving the Emba.s.sy, at the Ministry of Justice, Gilbert was almost immediately ushered into the presence of Signor Fava, the Minister. Finding that Gilbert did not know Italian, Signor Fava conversed with him in English.

"You believe Ucelli to be in a plot," said the Minister, after some discussion, "to screen this Mr. Silwood? Yes; but there is one question I must ask: Why has he tried to screen Mr. Silwood? What was, or is, the consideration?"

"I do not know what was, or is, the connection between the two," replied Gilbert.

"Ucelli must have been offered some strong inducement."

"That is probable, most probable."

"It must be inquired into, it must!"

The Minister touched an electric bell, and his Secretary entered the room.

"Please request Signor Vinci to come to me," the Minister said in Italian to his subordinate, who forthwith withdrew.

"Signor Vinci," the Minister explained to Gilbert, "is my Deputy. I merely desire to introduce you to him. I have already asked him to arrange with you when to go to Camajore. When do you intend to go?"

"I should like to go at once--that is, if it is convenient to Signor Vinci."

"How would to-morrow do?"

"Capitally."

A tall, swarthy man, with a determined-looking face, now came in.

"Mr. Eversleigh," said the Minister, "this is the Deputy-Minister, Signor Vinci. He has already received his instructions, and if you can go to-morrow, so can he. And you will find that he can speak English as well as or better than I."

"Oh no, Excellency," protested the Deputy. "But I am certainly quite ready to go with Mr. Eversleigh to-morrow, if that suits him."

And so it was arranged.

Before setting out next morning, Gilbert received a telegram from his brother Ernest, which made him very sad. It ran--

"Father seriously ill, but immediate danger not apprehended. He is unable to attend office. I opened your last letter to him, but am completely fogged as to its meaning."

"My father seriously ill," thought Gilbert. "How he has suffered! If the worst happens, it will have been Silwood who has killed him! And the office! How long can it go on in my father's absence without something being discovered and a catastrophe precipitated? What a terrible situation! What am I to do?" he asked himself, greatly agitated. But a little reflection convinced him that it was his duty to proceed to Camajore. Still, his brother's message chilled and depressed his spirits.

It was towards the middle of the afternoon when Gilbert and Signor Vinci walked up the single street of Camajore to the residence of Ucelli.

The Syndic saw the Deputy-Minister with surprise, but was far from guessing the real cause of his appearance.

"It is about the effects of that poor Signor Silwood you have come," he said to Signor Vinci in Italian, "along with Signor Eversleigh, is it not?"

"The effects," said Vinci, diplomatically; "yes. Let me see them."

The Syndic produced the money and the various articles which had belonged to Silwood.

"I will give you a receipt for them," said the Deputy, "and take them with me to Rome. They will eventually be given to the person or persons who can show the best claim to them."

"That is quite correct," agreed the Syndic, obsequiously. "Will your Excellency take them now?"

"Yes."

The Deputy-Minister, the look of determination on his face which it habitually wore suddenly becoming sharply accentuated, snapped out the "Yes" so harshly that Ucelli could not help noticing it; there was that in it which made him quake. He glanced at the Deputy to see if he could interpret the swift change in his manner.

"Mr. Eversleigh," said Vinci, crisply, "has proffered a request to the Minister of Justice, and his Excellency will comply with it. This request was that the grave of Mr. Silwood should be opened, and the body removed to England. It is permitted."

"But, Excellency," urged the Syndic, "pray consider the circ.u.mstances.

Mr. Silwood died of cholera."

"I am aware of it," said the Deputy. "Of course, every precaution science can suggest must be taken. But the command of the Minister admits of no discussion. The grave must be opened, and that to-day; now, or at any rate as soon as possible."

"But, Excellency!" began Ucelli, "I----"

"Say no more! The matter is settled, and I am here to see the grave is opened and the body given over to Mr. Eversleigh."

"A thousand pardons, but, Excellency, I shall be able to get no one to dig. Everybody knows Mr. Silwood died of cholera; and who amongst the villagers will have the courage to face the pestilence?"

"But with proper precautions?"

"Alas! our simple people do not understand precautions; they do understand what death from cholera means by the way of infection."

"I must say I do not comprehend the objection, if the necessary precautions are taken. No, signor, let us to work at once. I will go with you and procure disinfectants, and, thereafter, the grave-diggers, while Mr. Eversleigh rests here. Come!"

The Syndic scanned the Deputy's face, but it was uncompromisingly resolute.

"There is no need for your Excellency to put yourself to the trouble of going with me--I can easily see to all that is required," suggested Ucelli.