"That I certainly will," Hugh replied. "You have never yet advised me wrongly."
"Ah! I am not infallible," laughed the master criminal.
Then he rose, and crossing to the telephone, he inquired for the Grand Hotel. After a few minutes he spoke to Mademoiselle Lisette, telling her that she need not go to Marseilles, and asking her to call upon him again at nine o'clock that night.
"Monsieur Hugh has returned from the south," he added. "He is anxious to see you again."
"Tres bien, m'sieur," answered the smart Parisienne. "I will be there. But will you not dine with me--eh? At Vian's at seven. You know the place."
"Mademoiselle Lisette asks us to dine with her at Vian's," The Sparrow said, turning to Hugh.
"Yes, I shall be delighted," replied the young man.
So The Sparrow accepted the girl's invitation.
On that same morning, Dorise Ranscomb had, after breakfast, settled herself to write some letters. Her mother had gone to Warwickshire for the week-end, and she was alone with the maids.
The whole matter concerning Hugh puzzled her. She could not bring herself to a decision as to his innocence or his guilt.
As she sat writing in the morning-room, the maid announced that Mr. Shrimpton wished to see her.
She started at the name. It was the detective inspector from Scotland Yard who had called upon her on a previous occasion.
A few moments afterwards he was shown in, a tall figure in a rough tweed suit.
"I really must apologize, Miss Ranscomb, for disturbing you, but I have heard news of Mr. Henfrey. He has been in Marseilles. Have you heard from him?"
"Not a word," the girl replied. "And, Mr. Shrimpton, I am growing very concerned. I really can't think that he tried to kill the young Frenchwoman. Why should he?"
"Well, because she had connived at his father's death. That seems to be proved."
"Then your theory is that it was an act of vengeance?"
"Exactly, Miss Ranscomb. That is our opinion, and a warrant being out for his arrest both in France and in England, we are doing all we can to get him."
"But are you certain?" asked the girl, much distressed. "After all, though on the face of things it seems that there is a distinct motive, I do not think that Hugh would be guilty of such a thing."
"Naturally. Forgive me for saying so, miss, but I quite appreciate your point of view. If I were in your place I should regard the matter in just the same light. I, however, wondered whether you had heard news of him during the last day or two."