"How can you be sure of it?" "Hush," said Torry, as the secretary was about to speak, "let me explain. I believe it is from the murderer," he continued, addressing Frank directly, "as he is the only one of the general public who knows that Vass is in trouble over this affair. Evidently he recognised Vass when he murdered Julia, and now wants to see him privately to ask about the money." "The money--the ten thousand pounds?" "Exactly. This man murdered Grent for that money, and when he fancied that Julia was giving it to Vass he killed her out of revenge. He did not find the notes on Julia's body, so he followed Vass, who, as you heard, managed to escape him. Now he thinks that Vass still has the money, and knows in some way, I can't say how, that he is in trouble over it. He wants to meet Vass and demand half of the money or perhaps more; then he will leave England and write a letter to the police saying that he is the criminal and that Vass is innocent. I am certain," cried Torry emphatically, "that such is the plot of this scoundrel." "It sounds feasible enough. You are going to meet this man, Vass?" "We are all going to meet him," said the detective promptly; "you can come too, if you like." "Certainly. As I saw the beginning of this tragedy, I should like to see the end." "It is now Thursday," remarked Torry, "so to-morrow night at half-past ten, I, you, and a couple of policemen will post ourselves out of sight near the Achilles Statue. At eleven Vass will come along and wait to be asked for a cigarette light. Then we will give the scoundrel rope enough to hang himself, and pounce out to arrest him when he has given himself away. There has been enough plotting on the part of criminals," added Torry, rubbing his hands, "so it is time honest men had their turn to counter-plot." "What do you think of it all Mr. Darrel?" asked Vass in high glee. Frank shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know what to say," said he, doubtfully. "You may be right, you may be wrong, but we have had so many failures that I fear to hope for success." "Oh, we won't fail this time," said Vass, cheerfully. "Well, Mr. Torry, if you will excuse me I'll go back to my work. I'll be with you to-morrow at five as you desire. Good-day, sir; good-day, Mr. Darrel." The novelist nodded without smiling, for he had no great liking for the slippery secretary. When the door closed on him he turned an ironical look on Torry. "There goes a blackguard who thinks he is an honest man," was his remark. "Let him think what he likes so long as he assists us," replied Torry carelessly. "I know he stole the notes, but he returned them again." "Returned them out of fear, and in disguise," said Darrel. "The fellow is a white-livered cur. He hadn't even the pluck to defend that poor girl Julia." "Come now, sir; he couldn't. The assassin was too quick for him. But I agree with you that he's a contemptible hound; but justice must work with dirty tools on occasion. This sneak----