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"Howell!" gasped Hugh "Yes, I certainly would He is a close friend of The Sparrow!"

"That may be But that does not prove that he is any friend of yours If you caestion--then, Mr Henfrey, I should advise you to leave Madrid at once I say this because I have a suspicion that he intends both of us to fall into a trap!"

"But why? I don't understand"

"I can give you no explanation," said the girl "Now I know that Hamilton Shaw sent you here, I can, I think, discern his motive I myself will see Mr Franklyn at once, and shall leave Madrid as soon as possible And I advise you, Mr Henfrey, to do the same"

"Surely you don't suspect that it was this Mr Hoho gave h, surprised, but at the sa that The Sparrow had been alarmed at the detective's visit to Dorise He knew that Benton and Mrs Bond had suddenly disappeared frouess He had, of course, no proof that Benton and Molly were anization He only knew that Benton had been his late father's closest friend

He discussed the situation with the girl jewel-thief as they walked along the busy Carrera de San Jeronireat Plaza de Canovas in the leafy Prado

Again he tried to extract fro his father's death But she would tell hi, Mr Henfrey I can only regret it," she said quietly "Mr Franklyn is at the Ritz opposite I should like you to meet him"

And she took hiant hotel opposite the Neptune fountain, where, in a private sitting-room on the second floor, she introduced hilishman, whom none would take to be one of the most expert jewel-thieves in Europe

When the door was closed and they were alone, h had said concerning Howell's suggestion that he should travel to Madrid

Franklyn's face changed He was instantly apprehensive

"Then we certainly are not safe here any longer Howell probably intends to play us false! We shall know froht we know, the police are watching and will arrest us red-handed No," he added, "we must leave this place--all three of us--as soon as possible You, Lisette, had better go to Paris and explain matters to The Sparrohile I shall fade away to Switzerland And you, Mr Henfrey? Where will you go?"