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Ricardo turned eagerly

"And when--when did you first begin to suspect Harry Wethermill?"

Hanaud sood time I am the captain of the ship"

His voice took on a deeper note "But I prepare you Listen!

Daring and brains, those were the property of Harry Wethermill--

yes But it is not he who is the chief actor in the crime Of that

I am sure He was no more than one of the instruments"

"One of the instruments? Used, then, by whom?" asked Ricardo

"By my Normandy peasant-wo figure--cruel, e woman, Helene Vauquier You are surprised? You will see!

It is not the ; it's my peasant-woman

who is at the bottom of it all"

"But she's free!" exclaio free!"

"Free!" repeated Ricardo "She was driven straight from the Villa

Rose to the depot She has been kept au secret ever since"

Ricardo stared in auilt?"

"Already she had lied to nol

Do you remember what she said--a black-haired woman with beady

eyes; and I only five minutes before had picked up from the table-

-this"