"Not too well," was his reply as he closed the door. "I only got back last night. Five days ago I saw The Sparrow at the Palace Hotel in Madrid. He's doing all he can in young Henfrey's interests, but he is not too hopeful."
"Why?"
"I can't make out," said the man, apparently much perturbed. "He wired me to go to Madrid, and I went. But it seems that I've been on a fool's errand."
"That's very unsatisfactory," said the woman.
"It is, my dear Molly! From his attitude it seemed to me that he is protecting Henfrey from some secret motive of his own--one that is not at all in accordance with our plans."
"But he is surely acting in our interests!"
"Ah! I'm not so sure about that."
"You surprise me. He knows our intentions and approved of them!"
"His approval has, I think, been upset by the murderous attack upon Yvonne."
"But he surely will not act against us! If he does----"
"If he does--then we may as well throw up the sponge, Molly."
"We could give it all away to the police," remarked the woman.
"And by so doing give ourselves away!" answered Benton. "The Sparrow has many friends in the police, recollect. Abroad, he distributes a quantity of annual douceurs, and hence he is practically immune from arrest."
"I wish we were," laughed the handsome adventuress.
"Yes. We have only to dance to his tune," said he. "And the tune just now is not one which is pleasing to us--eh?"
"You seem strangely apprehensive."
"I am. I believe that The Sparrow, while making pretence of supporting our little affair, is in favour of Hugh's marriage with Dorise Ranscomb."
The woman looked him straight in the face.
"He could never go back on his word!" she declared.
"The Sparrow is a curious combination of the crook--chivalrous and philanthropic--as you already know."
"But surely, he wouldn't let us down?"
Benton paused. He was thinking deeply. A certain fact had suddenly occurred to him.
"If he does, then we must, I suppose, do our best to expose him. I happen to know that he has quarrelled with Henri Michaux, the under-secretary of the Surete in Paris, who has declared that his payment is not sufficient. Michaux is anxious to get even with him. A word from us would result in The Sparrow's arrest."
"Excellent!" exclaimed Molly. "If we fail we can, after all, have our revenge. But," she added, "would not he suspect us both, and, in turn, give us away?"
"No. He will never suspect, my dear Molly. Leave it to me. Are we not his dearest and most trusted friends?" and the man, who was as keenly sought by the police of Europe, grinned sardonically and took a cigarette from the big silver box on the little table at his elbow.