Part 55 (1/2)

”By this time the driver of the car has, of course, recovered and told his story,” Hugh remarked.

”And by this time the police probably know that you have come to Paris,”

remarked The Sparrow. ”Now, Mr. Henfrey, only an hour ago I learnt something which has altered my plans entirely. There is a traitor somewhere--somebody has given you away.”

”Who?”

”At present I have not decided. But we must all be wary and watchful,”

was The Sparrow's reply. ”In any case, it is a happy circ.u.mstance that you saw through the ruse of the police to get you to Cette. First the Madrid police were put upon your track, and then, as you eluded them, the Ma.r.s.eilles police were given timely information--a clever trap,” he laughed. ”I admire it. But at Ma.r.s.eilles they are even more shrewd than in Paris. Maillot, the _chef de la Surete_ at Ma.r.s.eilles, is a really capable official. I know him well. A year ago he dined with me at the Palais de la Bouillabaisse. I pretended that I had been the victim of a great theft, and he accepted my invitation. He little dreamed that I was Il Pa.s.sero, for whom he had been spreading the net for years!”

”You are really marvellous, Mr. Peters,” remarked Hugh. ”And I have to thank you for the way in which you have protected me time after time.

Your organization is simply wonderful.”

The man with the black glove laughed.

”Nothing really wonderful,” he said. ”Those who are innocent I protect, those who are traitors I condemn. And they never escape me. We have traitors at work now. It is for me to fix the ident.i.ty. And in this you, Mr. Henfrey, must help me. Have you heard from Miss Rans...o...b..”

”No. Not a word,” replied the young man. ”I dare not write to her.”

”No, don't. A man from Scotland Yard went to see her. So it is best to remain apart--my dear boy--even though that unfortunate misunderstanding concerning Louise Lambert has arisen between you.”

”But I am anxious to put it right,” the young fellow said. ”Dorise misjudges me.”

”Ah! I know. But at present you must allow her to think ill of you. You must not court arrest. We now know that you have enemies who intend you to be the victim, while they reap the profit,” said The Sparrow kindly.

”Leave matters to me and act at my suggestion.”

”That I certainly will,” Hugh replied. ”You have never yet advised me wrongly.”

”Ah! I am not infallible,” laughed the master criminal.

Then he rose, and crossing to the telephone, he inquired for the Grand Hotel. After a few minutes he spoke to Mademoiselle Lisette, telling her that she need not go to Ma.r.s.eilles, and asking her to call upon him again at nine o'clock that night.

”Monsieur Hugh has returned from the south,” he added. ”He is anxious to see you again.”

”_Tres bien, m'sieur_,” answered the smart Parisienne. ”I will be there.

But will you not dine with me--eh? At Vian's at seven. You know the place.”

”Mademoiselle Lisette asks us to dine with her at Vian's,” The Sparrow said, turning to Hugh.

”Yes, I shall be delighted,” replied the young man.

So The Sparrow accepted the girl's invitation.

On that same morning, Dorise Rans...o...b..had, after breakfast, settled herself to write some letters. Her mother had gone to Warwicks.h.i.+re for the week-end, and she was alone with the maids.

The whole matter concerning Hugh puzzled her. She could not bring herself to a decision as to his innocence or his guilt.

As she sat writing in the morning-room, the maid announced that Mr.