t you. Mind, I'm only guessing; but, anyway, the risk is too
considerable. I go, because, until I have been, I remain in the dark
over some vital matters that must be cleared and can only be
cleared in England. Vital in my opinion, that is. But in the
meantime Albert is not the sort of a man to be trusted alone, for
the reason that he has no idea whence the danger threatens; nor can
he be trusted with you, either, because you are equally ignorant."

"But if the danger lies with Doria, as you seem to hint, how can
you, or anybody else, save Mr. Redmayne from it? He likes Doria. The
beggar amuses him and is tactful and clever to please where and when
he wants to please. He's been trying to please me. To-morrow he'll
try to please you."

"Yes--a very light-hearted, agreeable chap--and clever as you say.
But I don't know yet whether what you and I see, or even what his
wife sees, is the real Doria."

"Possibly not."

Ganns considered and then proceeded.

"I must give you a clear understanding. I'm so used to playing a
lone hand and saying nothing till I can say everything, that I may
be tempted to treat you in a way you don't deserve. Now I'll tell
you how the cat's jumping. She's jumping in the dark--I'll allow
that; but what I seem to see dimly is this: that Giuseppe Doria
knows a great deal more about the man in the red waistcoat than we
do. I hardly think Doria is the man to murder my old friend; but I'm
not so sure that, if somebody else wanted to take the step, Doria
would prevent him.

"If Albert disappeared, you've got to remember that Doria's wife
would be the worldly gainer. Why anybody should want to kill Albert
to put money into Jenny's pocket I cannot say. But it's a feature;
and while I'm in England, I'll ask you to keep your eyes skinned and
try and find out as much about Giuseppe as you can. Not from his
wife, however. I needn't tell you that. You'll be free to poke about
and try and surprise 'Red Waistcoat.' Perhaps you'll do the trick;
but take care he doesn't surprise you. All I ask is that you don't
believe a quarter you hear, or half you see. We must get under the
appearances if we're to make good."

"You think, then, that Doria and Robert Redmayne may be running in
double harness? And perhaps you think that Jenny Doria knows this
fact and that in this secret knowledge her present misery lies?"

"No need to drag her in; but your own question suggests the
possibility."

"Not against my own k