Part 12 (2/2)
The young man looked up.
”Who--the signor?”
”Yes. What do you know about him?”
”Nothing good--although nothing very bad for that matter. He's a dark horse--keeps pretty much to himself. He's well known in the gay resorts, in the gambling houses and where they play the ponies.”
”What's his reputation?”
”He's known as a liberal spender. He's always flas.h.i.+ng big rolls of money----”
”Where does he get it--not from the fencing school?”
”No--that's only a blind.”
The lawyer lowered his voice.
”d.i.c.k, my boy, that fellow will bear watching, and you're the man to do it.”
”You want him shadowed?”
”Yes--find out where he goes, who he knows. My opinion is that he belongs to an international band of crooks--possibly counterfeiters, smugglers, or blackmailers. If you land him behind the bars you'll deserve well of your country.”
d.i.c.k glanced once or twice in the direction of the object of their conversation, who, quite unconscious of their scrutiny, was still talking earnestly to Helen. The young man smiled, his chest expanded with satisfaction, and grimly he said:
”Leave him to me.”
Quite unconscious of the attention he attracted, the Italian turned to Helen.
”You miss your husband very much?”
”Yes--terribly.”
”It must be lonely for you.”
”It is,” she sighed.
”Yet you have your sister.”
”Can a sister replace a husband?”
He gave a low, musical laugh.
”No--not a sister. A lover is preferable.”
Quickly she retorted:
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