des Champs Elysees. The Surete, in combination
with the Danish detective service, are still trying to clear up the
affair. You and I can do it," he said; and, after a pause, he looked
Rayne straight in the face, and asked: "Shall we? It rests with you!"

Rayne frowned darkly. Never before had I witnessed such an evil look
upon the face of any man. I knew that his brain was working swiftly,
and I also saw that our visitor was most unwelcome--evidently an
accomplice who had managed by some unaccountable means to penetrate
the veil of secrecy in which the super-crook had always so
successfully enveloped his identity.

"Well," he laughed. "You really are a most dramatic person, Signor
Gori, or whatever your name may be. I really don't understand you,
unless you are attempting to blackmail me. And if you are, then I'll
get my servant to show you the door."

The stranger smiled meaningly, and asked quite quietly:

"Is it not to your advantage, Signor Rayne, to talk this little matter
over in a friendly spirit? I offer you the opportunity. If you refuse
it----" And he shrugged his shoulders meaningly, without concluding
his sentence.

Rayne was silent for a few seconds. Then he said in quite a changed
and genial tone:

"I am much mystified at your visit, Signor Gori, for I certainly have
no knowledge of you. But the hour is late. If you are staying in the
neighborhood could you call again at noon to-morrow, when we will go
further into this tangled affair? We seem to be at cross-purposes
to-night."

"As you wish," replied the visitor, bowing with exquisite politeness.
"I am staying at the Fleece Hotel, at Thirsk, and I have motored out
here. To-morrow at noon I will call upon you." And then he added in a
hard, relentless tone: "And then I trust your memory will be
refreshed. Signori, I wish you both _buona sera_."

"Stay! I quite forgot! I shall not be here to-morrow," Rayne replied
quickly. "I have to be out some part of the day, and also I expect
visitors."

"Then the day after?" suggested the visitor politely, to which Rayne
sullenly replied:

"Yes. The day after to-morrow, at six o'clock in the evening. I will
be here to see you, if you still persist in pestering me. But I warn
you, Signor Gori, that it is quite useless."

The Italian smiled, bowed, and again wishing us good night, crossed
the room as Rayne pressed the electric button for the servant.

I realized that a big cloud of trouble had unexpectedl