very careful! Be warned by me!" the Italian cried, gazing at
me very seriously. "This man, your employer, is the leader of the most
wonderfully organized gang of criminals in Europe. I happen to know."

"How?" I asked.

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!"

His words caused me to start. I certainly did not like the man's
attitude, for whatever I said, or whatever