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Truly, the situation was ether the twoair and sat upon a seat on the terrace of the Casino watching the sun as it rose over the tideless sea

For nearly an hour they sat discussing the affair; then they ascended the white, dusty road to the beautiful Villa Amette, the home of the mysterious Mademoiselle

Old Giulio Cataldi opened the door

"Alas! m'sieur, Madeh's eager inquiry "The police have gone, but Doctor Leneveu is still upstairs"

"Have the police searched the garden?" inquired Hugh eagerly

"Yes, h examination, but have discovered no marks of footprints except those of yourself, ht up a parcel late last night"

"Then they found no weapon?" asked the young Englishman

"No, m'sieur There is no clue whatever to the assailant"

"Curious that there should be no footh"

"Yes The man must surely have left soht so," Brock said "I wonder if we edy happened?" he asked of the servant

"Certainly, m'sieur," was the courteous reply, and he conducted them both into the apartment wherein Mademoiselle of Monte Carlo had been shot down

"Did you accompany Made Henfrey of the old Italian, after he had described to Brock exactly what had occurred

"Yes, m'sieur," he replied "I was at Cromwell Road for a short time But I do not care for London, so Mademoiselle sent me back here to look after the Villa because old Jean, the concierge, had been taken to the hospital"

"When in London you knew some of Mademoiselle's friends, I suppose?"

"A few--only a feas the Italian's reply

"Did you ever know a certain Mr Benton?"

The old fellow shook his head blankly

"Not to e, m'sieur," he replied "Mademoiselle had really very few friends in London There was a Mrs Matthews and her husband, Ae Cave-Knight, who died a feeeks ago"

"Do you reh

Old Cataldi reflected for a moment, and then answered: "The name sounds familiar to me, m'sieur, but in what connexion I cannot recollect That is your na the card he had taken to his h replied "I have reason to believe that my late father was acquainted with your mistress, and that he called upon her in London"