ate, but from what I've been able to ferret
out, he is preparing some big haul. Everything points that way. I
don't know what it is, but it's the biggest thing in which he has yet
been mixed up. He's affiliated with crooks who operate all over the
country. Some of his men are disguised as servants and valets in rich
houses. They spy on their masters and tell him if there is anything
worth robbing. He is the master-mind that schemes the operations that
others carry out. He tells his men what banks and homes to break into
and instructs them how to do it. He receives all the stolen property.
At this very moment his flat in the Bronx is full of stolen loot. I
also suspect him of being engaged in counterfeiting."

The lawyer was lost in admiration.

"Dick, you're a wonder!"

The young man grinned with pride.

"Well--what's it to be--shall we tip off the police?"

"Not by a long shot. We'll have the gun loaded--all ready for use. If
the Signor gets ugly we'll shoot--that's all. Not a word, do you hear.
Leave everything to me. Come, let's go back or they'll think
something's wrong."

In the ballroom, they were still dancing the quadrille, the pretty
gowns of the girls and black coats of the men making a picturesque
sight as they blended in the ever changing figures.

The gayety was at its height when the maid entered and whispered in her
ear:

"There's a gentleman downstairs."

Helen looked at the girl in surprise.

"A gentleman? What's his name?"

"I don't know, m'm. He wouldn't say."

"Very well, I'll go down."

Slipping away unobserved, Helen made her way downstairs and throwing
back the heavy tapestry portieres entered the drawing room which was
almost in complete darkness. The maid had forgotten to switch on the
electrolier and as the only light came from the distant dining-room,
the big parlor was practically all in gloom. Before her eyes had
become quite accustomed to the dark, a man advanced out of the shadow.
It was Signor Keralio.

She recognized him instantly and instinctively she shrank back,
alarmed. How had he dared come again to her house after what had
occurred? He noticed the movement and asked:

"I see that I'm unwelcome. Do I frighten you so much?"

Coldly she answered:

"You do not frighten me. You surprise me. I did not expect this
pleasure after what passed between us the last time you were here."
Making a half turn, as if about to leave the room, she added qui