William Le Queux

“ Life nowadays is one of idyllic bliss, of perfect love and undisturbed peace, different indeed from that fevered year of struggle, adventure, travel and unrest during which I strove so steadily and with all my might to avenge the crimes of Oswald De Gex, and to unravel that tangled skein of the misdeeds of the international financier—the Stretton Street Affair. ”

“ But it was the Chief of the Spanish Detective Department who had arrested a Spanish criminal.
“Find out,” was the fellow’s defiant retort.
“It was Oswald De Gex,” said Rivero. “You won’t deny that! You may as well tell the truth, and things may go better with you. He was Despujol’s friend, as well as yours—was he not?”
“Yes,” the dark-faced man admitted sullenly. “We have both done his dirty work—and Moroni assisted him.”
“You sent that soap to Mr. Garfield—eh?”
The man under arrest with Rivero’s pistol still pointed at him nodded in the affirmative. ”

“ Mention of the name of Orozco at once brought the much-sought-after bandit downstairs, and as he entered the little sitting-room Rivero covered him instantly with his automatic pistol, shouting to him authoritatively in Spanish.
The notorious bandit staggered, so completely was he taken aback.
“You know me, Sanz!” exclaimed Rivero. “You are under arrest. Now tell me who prepared that cake of soap which you sent to Mr. Garfield?” ”