This remark seemed to stimulate the curiosity of the two men, and they refrained from a shout which would have brought in all the riff-raff without. Allen congratulated himself, that Parkins had roused this curiosity. He had no desire to fight in a dark cellar with his back to the wall against a score of ruffians. In a few minutes the lamp was lighted. "Turn it up, Foxy," said Father Don; "and now, gentlemen," he added politely, "how did you get here?" "A boy called Billy brought us," said Allen stepping forward. "I fear we've frightened the lady away." "Let her go, the jade," said Foxy shrilly; "there would have been a heap of trouble if she'd remained," and he confirmed this speech with several oaths. Father Don did not swear. He spoke in a clear, refined, and educated voice, and apparently was a well-educated man who had fallen into the depths through some rascality. But his face looked most benevolent, and no one would have suspected him of being a ruffian of the worst. He eyed Allen piercingly, and also his companion. "Well, gentlemen," he asked quietly, "and what can I do for you?" Horace sat down heavily and pulled out his pipe. "We may as well talk comfortably," he said. "Sit down, Hill." "Hill?" said Father Don with a start, while Foxy opened his small eyes--"not of Wargrove?" "The same," said Allen quietly. "How do you know me?" "I know a good many things," said Father Don calmly. "Do you know who shot Strode?" Foxy rose as though moved by a spring. "You're on that lay, are you?" said he shrilly; "then you've come to the wrong shop." "Oh, I guess not, said Horace lazily--to the right shop. You see, Mister," he went on to the elder ruffian, "we want that wooden hand." "What wooden hand?" asked Father Don. "If you mean----" "Yes, I do mean that," said Allen quickly; "you brought it to Mr. Mask to get the money." "Did I?" said Father Don coolly and eyeing the young man; "well, maybe I did. But I didn't take it from the dead?" Allen coloured. "Merry took it," he said. "Oh no, he didn't," sneered Foxy. "Merry got it from Butsey, who dug it up after it had been planted by----" "Stop," said Allen, rising. "Father Don," he added, turning to the old man, "you seem to be a gentleman----" "I was once. But what's that got to do with this?" "Stop this man," he pointed to Foxy, "from mentioning names." "I'll stop everything, if you'll tell us where the diamonds are to be found," said Father Don. "I don't know what you mean," said Allen. "Oh yes, you do. You know everything about this case, and you've come here to get the hand. Well then, you won't. Only while I hold that hand can I get the diamonds." "Where will you get them?" "That's what I want you to tell me." "I guess Red Jerry knows," said Horace sharply; "he took the diamonds from the dead body of the man he shot." "Meaning Strode," said Foxy, with a glance at Father Don. "Jerry didn't shoot him," said that venerable fraud.