"To restore native Indian rule; and, like the Anarchists, it works by secret assassination, in order to startle and intimidate those in power." "Has the society any money?" "Oh, yes; I believe it is well supplied with funds. You see, the Indians know of many buried and hidden treasures, concealed at the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru; so I suppose they devote those riches to the plots for reconstructing the Empire of the Incas." "All this is very clear and plausible so far as Peru is concerned," said Frank after a pause, "but I don't see how this system of political plotting and wholesale murder comes to exist in England." "I can tell you, Darrel. About a year ago the Peruvian Government resolved to put an end to the society, and many people were arrested. They tried to get hold of the money owned by the society, but those who had charge of it fled with it to England and took up their abode in London." "Is Captain Manuel one of these people?" "I can't say for certain, but I am pretty sure he is." "Has he the funds of the society in his possession?" "A portion of them, maybe," replied Blake. "The society is too clever to put all its eggs into one basket or in one country. In France, Italy, Germany, and Spain there are representatives, who look after and have in their possession a portion of the funds; so if one man proves a traitor and embezzles the money, the others will, probably, remain staunch. I don't know much about Captain Manuel, save that I have met him once or twice at Wray House, but it is my opinion that he is the treasurer of the society in London." "I quite believe that, Blake; and the amount of his funds is ten thousand pounds." "Really!" cried Roderick, much astonished. "But how do you know?" "Because Captain Manuel had that amount, and before Grent's death placed it in his hands." "But Grent is dead; so where is the money now?" "I don't know." "You don't know?" echoed Blake, jumping up. "What do you mean?" "What I say," rejoined Darrel drily, "The money has been stolen." "Stolen! Good Lord! and by whom?" Frank shrugged his shoulders. "I am as ignorant of that as I am of the man's name who killed Grent. Listen. I have Torry's permission to tell you the case." "I am all attention," said Blake, resuming his seat. At once Frank began his story, and narrated all details of the affair from the time he met Mr. Grent disguised in Drury-lane down to Vass's announcement of the robbery. For obvious reasons he did not speak of Torry's discovery of the turquoise ring on Lydia Hargone's finger. Blake listened with profound attention, and, when the narrative was ended, sprang to his feet. "After what you have told me I see it all," he cried. "Surely, putting my story and yours together, you can guess who killed Grent and Julia Brawn?" "No, I cannot. Who do you think is the murderer?" "Who? Why, Captain Manuel, to be sure. He murdered them both." CHAPTER XV A WOMAN SCORNED