Hume stepped warily behind him, and both men looked through a portion of the hedge where briars were supplanted by hazel bushes.
Capella was standing panting near a stile.

A girl, dressed in muslin, and wearing a large straw hat, was approaching.
"Great Heavens! It is Helen!" exclaimed Hume.
Brett grasped his shoulder.
"Restrain yourself," he whispered earnestly.

"Luckily, Capella has not heard you.

I regret the necessity which makes us eavesdroppers, but it is a fortunate accident, all the same.

Not a word! Remember what is at stake." They could not see the Italian's face.