will marry her! In
the meantime you are deeply in love with Lady Ranscomb's daughter.
I know her--a truly charming girl. I congratulate you," he added,
as though speaking to himself. "But the situation is indeed a very
complicated one."

"For me it is terrible. I am living under a cloud, and in constant fear
of arrest. What can be done?"

"I fear nothing much can be done at present," said the old man, shaking
his head gravely. "I quite realize that you are victim of certain
enemies who intend to get hold of your father's fortune. It is for us to
combat them--if we can."

"Then you will continue to help me?" asked Hugh eagerly, looking into
the mysterious face of the old fellow who wore the black glove.

"I promise you my aid," he replied, putting out his gloved hand as
pledge.

Then, as Hugh took it, he looked straight into those keen eyes, and
asked:

"You have asked me many questions, sir, and I have replied to them all.
May I ask one of you--my friend?"

"Certainly," replied the older man.

"Then am I correct in assuming that you are actually the person of whom
I have heard so much up and down Europe--the man of whom certain men
and women speak with admiration, and with bated breath--the man known in
certain circles as--as _Il Passero_?"

The countenance of the little man with the bristly white hair and the
black glove relaxed into a smile, as, still holding Hugh's hand in
friendship, he replied:

"Yes. It is true. Some know me as 'The Sparrow!'"

NINETEENTH CHAPTER

THE SPARROW

Hugh Henfrey was at last face to face with the most notorious criminal
in Europe!

The black-gloved hand of the wizened, bristly-haired old man was the
hand that controlled a great organization spread all over Europe--an
organization which only knew Il Passero by repute, but had never seen
him in the flesh.

Yet there he was, a discreet, rather petulant old gentleman, who lived
at ease in an exclusive West End street, and was entirely unsuspected!

When "Mr. Peters" admitted his identity, Hugh drew a long breath. He
was staggered. He was profuse in his thanks, but "The Sparrow" merely
smiled, saying:

"It is true that I and certain of my friends make war upon Society--and
more especially upon those who have profiteered upon those brave fellows
who laid down their lives for us in the war. Whatever you have heard
concerning me I hope you will forgive, Mr. Henfrey. At least I am the
friend of those who are in dis