He looked at me strangely, and his manner changed. His dark eyes seemed to search mine, and then next instant he smiled mysteriously.
“I will tell you the truth,” he said. “The reason I know is because I have unwittingly—owing to a little lapse from the path of honesty—been made one of the tools of this man whose marvelous brain controls the actions of dozens of the most unscrupulous and dangerous thieves on the Continent. My suspicions were aroused by something a woman told me in Paris, and for many months I have been unceasing in my inquiries. I have at last discovered the well-concealed chief who gives his orders like a general in the field, and those orders are obeyed to the letter without question, and always to the profit of those who execute them. And here,” he added, gazing around, “I am in the fine house of the man of mystery for whom the police are ever seeking—‘The Golden Face’!”
“What you have said certainly surprises me,” I replied. “Surely there must be some mistake. Mr. Rayne is not the leader of a criminal gang. He is simply a country landowner here.”
“Under that guise he poses unsuspected by the police,” laughed my visitor. “You can rest assured that I have made every inquiry and that now I know.”
“And what are your intentions?” I asked. “Surely you will go and see him in London?”
The truth was out, and I saw that the Italian meant mischief.
“Perhaps I shall go to the police at once,” he said. “Perhaps I shall go to London. I shall consider. He made an appointment and he has broken his promise. He fears me! That is quite plain. But, signore, I am here in England to bring him to justice, if only for one very serious crime—a crime that a woman witness I have can prove!”
“This is all very distressing to me, especially as Mr. Rayne has a daughter, a young lady who is entirely ignorant of her father’s source of income,” I said.
“Ignorant!” he echoed. “Ah! my dear signore, do not think the Signorina Lola is ignorant! I have waited and watched. I know more than you or Signor Rayne ever suspect. The girl may affect ignorance, but she knows, and I can prove it!”