At last the door opened and the old man entered, surprised to find himself in the presence of the master criminal, The Sparrow, whom he had only met once before.
He greeted his visitors rather timidly.
After a short chat The Sparrow, who had offered the old man a cigarette from a cheap plated case much worn, began to make certain inquiries.
"This is a very serious and confidential affair, Cataldi," he said. "I want to know the absolute truth--and I must have it."
"I know it is serious, signore," replied the old man, much perturbed by the unexpected visit of the king of the underworld, the elusive Sparrow of whom everyone spoke in awe. "But I only know one or two facts. I recognize Signor Henfrey."
"Ah! Then you know me!" exclaimed Hugh. "You recognized me on that night at the Villa Amette, when you opened the door to me."
"I do, signore. I recollect everything. It is all photographed upon my memory. Poor Mademoiselle! You questioned her--as a gentleman would--and you demanded to know about your father's death. She prevaricated--and----"
"Then you overheard it?" said Hugh.
"Yes, I listened. Was I not Mademoiselle's servant? On that night she had won quite a large sum at the Rooms, and she had given me--ah! she was always most generous--five hundred francs--twenty pounds in your English money. And they were acceptable in these days of high prices. I heard much. I was interested. Mademoiselle was my mistress whom I had served faithfully."
"You wondered why this young Englishman should call upon her at that hour?" said The Sparrow.
"I did. She never received visitors after her five o'clock tea. It was the habit at the Villa Amette to lunch at one o'clock, English tea at five o'clock, and dinner at eight--when the Rooms were slack save for the tourists from seven till ten. Strange! The tourists always think they can win while the gambling world has gone to its meals! They get seats, it is true, but they always lose."
"Yes," replied The Sparrow. "It is a strange fact that the greatest losses are sustained by the players when the Rooms are most empty. Nobody has yet ever been able to account for it."
"And yet it is so," declared old Cataldi. "I have watched it day by day. But poor Mademoiselle! What can we do to solve the mystery?"
"Were you not with Mademoiselle and Mr. Benton when you both brought off that great coup in the Avenue Louise, in Brussels?" asked The Sparrow.
"Yes, signore," said the old man. "But I do not wish to speak of it now."