THE IRISH-TWEED COAT
man, for they bear the initials 'A. C.' The fiendish brutes! I knew it—I knew it, and now I can prove the innocence of my boy!"
Again there was a pause. I was too much absorbed in the palpitating narrative to attempt to breathe a word, and I knew that Lady Molly was placidly waiting until the man had somewhat recovered from his vehement outburst.
"Of course, you can prove your boy's innocence now," she said, smiling encouragingly into his flushed face. "But what have you done with the coat?"
"Left it buried where I found it," he replied more calmly. "They must not suspect that I am on their track."
She nodded approvingly.
"No doubt, then, my chief has told you that the best course to pursue now will be to place the whole matter in the hands of the English police. Our people at Scotland Yard will then immediately communicate with the Sicilian authorities, and in the meanwhile we can keep the two men in Leather Lane well under surveillance."
"Yes, he told me all that," said Mr. Shuttleworth, quietly.
"Well?"
"And I told him that his 'communicating with the Sicilian police authorities' would result in my boy's trial being summarily concluded, in his being sent to the gallows, whilst every proof of his inno-
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