Part 24 (1/2)
”His friend--not his agent,” Vervoort replied with a smile.
”Do you know Mademoiselle Lisette?” Hugh asked. ”She was with me in Genoa.”
”Yes. We have met. A very clever little person. Il Pa.s.sero thinks very highly of her. She has been educated in the higher schools, and is perhaps one of our cleverest decoys.”
Hugh Henfrey paused.
”Now look here, Monsieur Vervoort,” he exclaimed at last, ”I'm very much in the dark about all this curious business. Lisette knows a lot concerning Mademoiselle Yvonne.”
”Admitted. She acted once as her maid, I believe, in some big affair.
But I don't know much about it.”
”Well, you know what happened at the Villa Amette that night? Have you any idea of the ident.i.ty of the person who shot poor Mademoiselle--the lady they call Mademoiselle of Monte Carlo?”
”Not in the least,” was the reply. ”All I know is that Il Pa.s.sero has some very keen and personal interest in the affair. He has sent further orders to you. It is imperative, he says, that you should get away from Brussels. The police are too keen here.”
”Where shall I go?”
”I suggest that you go at once to Malines. Go to Madame Maupoil, 208 Rue de Sta.s.sart, opposite the Military Hospital. It is far too dangerous for you to remain here in Brussels. I have already written that you are coming. Her house is one of the sanctuaries of the friends of Il Pa.s.sero. Remember the name and address.”
”The Sparrow seems to be ubiquitous,” Hugh remarked.
”He is. No really great robbery can be accomplished unless he plans and finances it.”
”I cannot think why he takes so keen an interest in me.”
”He often does in persons who are quite ignorant of his existence.”
”That is my own case. I never heard of him until I was in Genoa, a fugitive,” said Hugh. ”But you told me I shall receive a message from Miss Rans...o...b..by special messenger. When?”
”When you are in Malines.”
”But all this is very strange. Will the mysterious messenger call upon Miss Rans...o...b..in London?”
”Of course. Il Pa.s.sero has several messengers who travel to and fro in secret. Mademoiselle Lisette was once one of them. She has travelled many times the length and breadth of Europe. But nowadays she is an indicator--and a very clever one indeed,” he added with a laugh.
”I suppose I had better get away to Malines without delay?” Hugh remarked.
”Yes. Go to your hotel, pay them for your room and get your valise. I shall be waiting for you at noon in a car in the Rue Gretry, close to the Palais d'Ete. Then we can slip away to Malines. Have you sufficient money? If not, I can give you some. Il Pa.s.sero has ordered me to do so.”
”Thanks,” replied Hugh. ”I have enough for the present. My only desire is to be back again in London.”
”Ah! I am afraid that is not possible for some time to come.”
”But I shall hear from Miss Rans...o...b..”
”Oh, yes. The messenger will come to you in Malines.”