"Yes. Do you happen to know anyone in the household of the Duke de Ladra?"
"Well, yes, sir; I do know a young woman there. She went with me to a festa yesterday evening."
"Well, I wish you could find out in some way when any meetings of leading men of the place are held there, and whether they meet on any particular day."
"I know that there was a meeting last night, sir, because she said it was what she called a men's evening, and therefore she could get out."
"Well, when you see her again, Roper, you might perhaps find out when the next meeting will take place, by asking her when she can come out next."
"I can manage that easily enough, sir;" and he looked enquiringly at his master.
"I want to be present at it, Roper."
"You do, sir?"
"Yes. These men are Carlist conspirators. We cannot seize them without some evidence against them, and if I could only overhear their talk we should be able to lay hands upon them."
"That would not be easy, sir."