that they
were moving from place to place on the Continent. He seemed most
annoyed, and went away."

I wondered what was his object in going to Longridge Road, if not for
the purpose of some further evil work. Though he pretended
friendliness towards Gabrielle, yet I knew that he was her enemy, just
as he was mine.

Moroni was in London, hence he would no doubt visit De Gex. Hambledon
was unknown to Moroni, therefore he watched in Stretton Street on the
following night, and in his work of observation he was assisted by
Norah, who had been told something of the strange circumstances,
though of course not the whole amazing story.

Just before eleven o'clock Harry and his fiancee arrived at Rivermead
Mansions in a taxi and told me that they had seen Moroni arrive at
Stretton Street about half-past nine. He was admitted by a new and
rather supercilious man-servant--for Horton did not now seem to be in
the great man's employ.

"Ten minutes afterwards Suzor arrived," Harry said. "Then about half
an hour later Moroni came out."

"I was passing the house slowly when he came down the steps muttering
fiercely to himself in Italian," Norah said. "He took no notice of me,
for he seemed extremely angry and excited. Indeed, as he left, he
glanced back at the house, his hands clenched, and he seemed to invoke
a curse upon it."

"By Jove!" I gasped. "That's interesting! The precious trio have
perhaps quarrelled!"

"Perhaps," said Hambledon. "And as a lawyer I venture to predict that
if they really have we shall, ere long, obtain some very interesting
disclosures."

Norah stayed and had some supper, for we were all desperately hungry,
and later on Harry saw her back to Richmond.

Three days later, in consequence of a message sent to me from the
Hotel Cecil, I went home early from the office to Rivermead Mansions,
and had only been in five minutes when the door-bell rang.

On opening it I found my expected visitor, Senor Rivero.

"Ah! my dear friend!" cried the good-humoured police official, as he
wrung my hand warmly. "So I have found you at last! The taxi-man made
a mistake in the address and took me further down the road. Well, so
you have been doing good business for us--eh? You have found Mateo
Sanz!"

"Yes. I recognized him," I said.

"I have just been with Superintendent Risden, of Scotland Yard, and we
have seen our friend whom we have wanted for so long. He is quite
unsuspicious. But I am told that two days a