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He had never before heard of the interesting cosmopolitan thief known as The Sparrow, but it seemed evident that the person in question had suddenly become interested in him for some obscure and quite unaccountable reason. As day followed day in that humble place of concealment, Beppo told him many things concerning the famous criminal Il Passero, describing his exploits in terms of admiration.
"But she is one of Il Passero's assistants eh?" The girl laughed lightly. "Perhaps," was her enigmatical reply. "Who knows? It is, however, evident that Il Passero is seriously concerned at the tragic affair at the Villa Amette." "Have you ever been there?" She hesitated a few moments, then said: "Yes, once." "And you know the old Italian servant Cataldi?" She replied in the affirmative.
That would account for the interest he takes in you, though you do not know him," said Lisette. "I have known Il Passero perform many kindly acts to persons in distress who have never dreamed that they have received money from a notorious international thief." "Well, in my case he has, no doubt, done me signal service," young Henfrey replied.
"What do you know concerning Mademoiselle of Monte Carlo?" The Italian looked at him strangely. "Nothing," he replied, still speaking bad French. "You are not speaking the truth." "Why should I tell it to you? I do not know you!" was the quick retort. "But you are harbouring me." "At the orders of Il Passero."
"She was with me in Genoa." "Yes. We have met. A very clever little person. Il Passero thinks very highly of her. She has been educated in the higher schools, and is perhaps one of our cleverest decoys." Hugh Henfrey paused. "Now look here, Monsieur Vervoort," he exclaimed at last, "I'm very much in the dark about all this curious business. Lisette knows a lot concerning Mademoiselle Yvonne."
"You had already started from Monte Carlo, and we wondered if you would get past the frontier all right." "Yes," replied Hugh, sipping the wine out of courtesy. "We got out of France quite safely. But tell me, who made all these arrangements for me?" "Why, Il Passero, of course," replied the man, whose wife addressed him affectionately as Beppo. "Who is Il Passero, pray?"
Yet each was so distinct, and each individuality so well kept up, that he snapped his fingers at the police and pitied them their red tape, ignorance, and lack of initiative. Truly, Il Passero, the cosmopolitan of many names and half a dozen nationalities, had brought criminality to a fine art. Hugh, standing there breathless, listened to every word. Who was this man Howell?
She was living for a time at Santa Margherita last year. I had a friend of hers living here with me and I went to her with a message. She is a very charming lady." "And a friend of Il Passero?" The Italian shrugged his shoulders with a gesture of ignorance. Hugh Henfrey had certainly learned much that was curious.
"I have no knowledge that The Sparrow is a criminal." "Ask the police of any city in Europe. They will tell you that they have for years been endeavouring to capture Il Passero. Yet so cleverly is his gang organized that never once has he been betrayed. All his friends are so loyal to him." "Yet you want me to betray him!"
Il Passero had found her, and, after several times successfully "indicating" where coups could be made, she had been taken into his employment as a decoy, frequently travelling on the international wagon-lits and restaurants, where she succeeded in attracting the attention of men and holding them in conversation with a mild flirtation while other members of the gang investigated the contents of their valises.
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