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"Was Benton with him?" asked Mr Peters

"No Benton went to New York about two months before"

"H'm! And how soon after your father's return did he come home?"

"I think it was about three ether, I believe"

The old ar in silence Apparently he was thinking deeply

"So Benton has induced you to go down to Shapley in order that you hter, in the hope that you will marry her! In the hter I know her--a truly char to himself "But the situation is indeed a very co under a cloud, and in constant fear of arrest What can be done?"

"I fear nothinghis head gravely "I quite realize that you are victiet hold of your father's fortune It is for us to combat them--if we can"

"Then you will continue to helpinto the love

"I proloved hand as pledge

Then, as Hugh took it, he looked straight into those keen eyes, and asked: "You have asked me many questions, sir, and I have replied to them all May I ask one of you--my friend?"

"Certainly," replied the olderthat you are actually the person of whom I have heard so much up and down Europe--the man of whom certain men and women speak with admiration, and with bated breath--the man known in certain circles as--as Il Passero?"

The countenance of the little love relaxed into a sh's hand in friendship, he replied: "Yes It is true Some know me as 'The Sparrow!'"