have no knowledge," was Vervoort's reply. He seemed a very
refined man, and was no doubt an extremely clever crook. He said little
of himself, but sufficient to cause Hugh to realize that his was one of
the master minds of underground Europe.

The young Englishman was naturally eager to further penetrate the veil
of mystery surrounding Mademoiselle Yvonne, but he learned little or
nothing. Vervoort either knew nothing, or else refused to disclose what
he knew. Which, Hugh could not exactly decide.

Therefore, in accordance with the Belgian's instructions, he left the
house and at noon carried his valise to the Rue Gretry, where he found
his friend awaiting him in a closed car, which quickly moved off out
of the city by the Laeken road. Travelling by way of Vilvorde they
were within an hour in old-world Malines, famous for its magnificent
cathedral and its musical carillon. Crossing the Louvain Canal and
entering by the Porte de Bruxelles, they were soon in an inartistic
cobbled street under the shadow of St. Rombold, and a few minutes later
Hugh was introduced to a short, stout Belgian woman, Madame Maupoil. The
place was meagrely furnished, but scrupulously clean. The floor of the
room to which Hugh was shown shone with beeswax, and the walls were
whitewashed.

"I hope monsieur will make himself quite comfortable," madame said, a
broad smile of welcome upon her round face.

"You will be comfortable enough under madame's care," Vervoort assured
him. "She has had some well-known guests before now."

"True, monsieur. More than one of them have been world-famous
and--well--believed to be perfectly honest and upright."

"Yes," laughed Vervoort. "Do you remember the English ex-member of
Parliament?"

"Ah! He was with me nearly four months when supposed to be in South
America. There was a warrant out for him on account of some great
financial frauds--all of which was, of course, hushed up. But he stayed
here in strict concealment and his friends managed to get the warrant
withdrawn. He was known to Il Passero, and the latter aided him--in
return for certain facilities regarding the English police."

"What do you think of the English police, madame?" Hugh asked. The fat
woman grinned expressively and shrugged her broad shoulders.

"Since the war they have been effete as regards serious crime. At least,
that is what Il Passero told me when he was here a month ago."

"Someone is coming here to meet Monsieur Henfrey,"