Gex is an assassin!"

"I not only infer it," I said, "but I openly allege it!" I added
hotly, as I thought of Gabrielle.

Rivero glancing at me quickly raised his shoulders with a gesture of
disbelief.

"Very well," I said. "At least I have proved to you that he is a
secret friend of the notorious Despujol. Why is he here in Nimes to
consult with De Gex and his friend the Italian, Moroni, if not for
purposes of evil? Despujol has made desperate war upon society, and it
is De Gex who secretly finances him! Hence he is the servant of the
man with money."

The dark-faced Spaniard reflected.

"Well," he exclaimed at last. "What you have revealed is certainly
most interesting."

"And if you wish to capture Despujol you must lose no time," I assured
him. "Remember, he and his gang have agents everywhere with eyes and
ears open. He will soon know of the raid upon his retreat in
Montauban."

"No doubt he will," agreed my companion. "They will return presently,
and then we will arrest him. In the meantime I will call upon the
Commissary of Police. Come with me."

We at once took a cab to the Prefecture where we were ushered into the
presence of Monsieur Coulagne, a rather tall, grey-haired elegant man,
with the rosette of the Legion of Honour in his coat.

When Rivero introduced himself the Commissary bowed to us both and
bade us be seated.

In a few quick sentences the Spanish detective explained the object of
his mission, and producing his authority from the Spanish Ministry,
requested the arrest of the infamous bandit Despujol.

"But is Despujol actually in Nimes?" cried the Commissary astounded.

"He certainly is. I identified him on his arrival here at midday."

"We have been searching for him for over two years. He is wanted,
among other things, for the murder of Madame Lescot, a wealthy widow
of Aix-en-Provence."

"Ah! Then it is not a matter for extradition, eh?" remarked Rivero.
"We want him for a dozen crimes of violence in Spain. He attempted the
death of my English companion here, Monsieur Garfield--who will give
evidence against him."

The Commissary pressed an electric button, whereupon his secretary
appeared.

In a few rapid sentences the tall, elegant French official gave
orders, and the secretary retired at once to execute them.

"Despujol is a desperate character. He is always armed, and possesses
abnormal strength. He could strangle his strongest opponent," Rivero
remarked.

"I have