"Exactly. She did so every evening. Her habits were regular. Yet she never knew the extent of her winnings at the tables before she counted them. And she never did so until the following morning. That is what Franklyn told me in Venice when we met a month afterwards."
"He learnt that from me," The Sparrow said with a smile. "No," he went on; "though old Cataldi could well have robbed his mistress, just as the maids could have done, and Yvonne would have been none the wiser, yet I do not think he would attempt to conceal his crime by shooting her, because by so doing he cut off all future supplies. If he were a thief he would not be such a fool. Therefore you may rest assured, Howell, that the hand that fired the shot was that of some person who desired to close Yvonne's mouth."
"She might have held some secret concerning old Cataldi. Or, on his part, he might have cherished some grievance against her. Italians are usually very vindictive," replied the visitor. "On the other hand, it would be to Benton's advantage that the truth concerning old Henfrey's death was suppressed. Yvonne was about to tell the young man something--perhaps confess the truth, who knows?--when the shot was fired."
"Well, my dear Howell, you have your opinion and I have mine," laughed The Sparrow. "The latter I shall keep to myself--until my theory is disproved."
Thereupon Howell took a cigar that his host offered him, and while he slowly lit it, The Sparrow crossed to the telephone.
He quickly found Lady Ranscomb's number in the directory, and a few moments later was talking to the butler, of whom he inquired for Miss Dorise.
"Tell her," he added, "that a friend of Mr. Henfrey's wishes to speak to her."
In a few moments The Sparrow heard the girl's voice.
"Yes?" she inquired. "Who is speaking?"
"A friend of Mr. Henfrey," was the reply of the man with the gloved hand. "You will probably guess who it is."
He heard a little nervous laugh, and then: "Oh, yes. I--I have an idea, but I can't talk to you over the 'phone. I've got somebody who's just called. Mother is out--and----" Then she lowered her voice, evidently not desirous of being heard in the adjoining room. "Well, I don't know what to do."
"What do you mean? Does it concern Mr. Henfrey?"
"Yes. It does. There's a man here to see me from Scotland Yard! What shall I do?"
The Sparrow gasped at the girl's announcement.
Next second he recovered himself.
"A man from Scotland Yard!" he echoed. "Why has he called?"