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"And if I were to tell you that he was innocent I should condehed the crafty old man

"Look here, Giulio," said Benton "I confess that I have long ago regretted the shabby manner in which I treated you ere all in Brussels, and I hope you will allowfrom his pocket-book several hundred-franc notes, he doubled them up and placed them on the table

"Ah!" said the old man "I see! You want to buyit back towards him conte an honest living," Benton sneered

"Yes--and Il Passero knows it!" was Cataldi's bold reply

"Then you refuse to tell ht at the Villa Amette?"

"Yes," he snapped "Take your money, and leave land to see you," remarked the disappointed man

"Be extremely careful You have enemies, so have I They are the sanorino to the police--as they will no doubt, before long, denounce you!" said the old hed "I do not fear any eneood care that we are prevented fro into any traps the police may set," he added after a moment's pause

The old waiter shook his head dubiously

"One day there may be a slip--and it will cost you all very dearly," he said

"You are in a badhonest," Benton laughed, though he was extre from the old fellow

Was it possible that the suspicions which both Molly and he had entertained were true--namely, that the old man had attempted to kill his mistress? After all, the hue-and-cry had been raised by the police h Henfrey had fled and successfully escaped

Benton, after gruain hinting at the fact that hejourney fro been in vain

If Henfrey was to be free to marry Louise, then his innocence must first be proved Charles Benton had forold Mr Henfrey's great fortune was slowly slipping froh had married Louise and settled the money upon her, then the rest would be easy He had reed upon a vile, despicable plot which would result in the young man's sudden end and the diversion of his father's fortune