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We would make use of your aid gladly, but it must be on our terms not yours." "State them, Louis," I said. "We will tell you the truth," Louis answered slowly. "You shall understand the whole business. You shall understand why Delora is forced to lie hidden here in London, what it is that he is aiming at. When you know everything, you can be an ally if you will.
"You mean to suggest, then, Louis," I said, "that the disappearance of Mr. Delora is a voluntary one?" Once more Louis shrugged his shoulders. "Who can tell, monsieur?" he answered. "I suggest nothing. I spoke only as one might speak, hearing of this case. One moment, monsieur."
"Ah!" he said, "it is not always safe to meddle in the affairs of other people! There are wheels within wheels. The disappearance of Mr. Delora may not be altogether so accidental as it seems." "You mean " I exclaimed hastily. "But nothing, monsieur," Louis answered, with a little shrug of the shoulders. "I spoke quite generally.
"My uncle came on at once from the station," she said, "He was not feeling very well." The clerk bowed, but seemed a little puzzled. "Will you tell me where I can find Mr. Delora?" she asked. "Mr. Delora has not yet arrived, madam," the clerk answered. She looked at him for a moment, speechless. "Not arrived?" I interrupted. "Surely you must be mistaken, Dean!
"Am I to have the honor, then?" Delora asked, with a curl of his thin lips, "You are," I interrupted, "if you call it an honor, although to tell you frankly, as things are at present, I am not inclined to go about begging too many different people's permission.
Before I was up the next morning I was informed that Fritz was waiting outside the door of my room. I had him shown in, and he stood respectfully by my bedside. "Sir," he said, "I have once more discovered Mr. Delora." "Fritz," I answered, "you are a genius! Tell me where he is?" "He is at a small private hotel in Bloomsbury," Fritz declared.
"Nor can I see, sir," Delora answered, "that you have any better right to reproach me with it. Still, if it will shorten this discussion, I admit that if I had known how much trouble there was ahead of me I should not have brought her. I simply disliked having to disappoint her. It was a long-standing promise." "Let that go," I answered. "I have told you that I have handed in my commission.
"No!" I said. "It is not for you! It is I who will arrange this thing." I left my place and walked towards the table where the two were sitting. I saw Delora lay down his knife and fork and watch me with fixed, intent gaze. I saw Louis' lips twist into a snarl. He glided to the table even as I did. I held out my hand to the woman. "You have not forgotten me, I hope?" I asked.
"I don't," I answered, sighing, "but it makes the position a little difficult." "Come and see me to-morrow morning," Ralph said, "and tell me exactly what passes between you and Delora. We must cable Dicky some time soon." "I will," I promised, taking up my hat. "Good-day, Ralph!" I felt that night an unusual desire to take all possible precautions before leaving the Milan for Bermondsey.
"But for the early breakfast, no, sir!" he said. "Monsieur Louis will come at one o'clock, perhaps, perhaps not until dinner-time. He will be here to-day, though." I unfolded my paper and looked through the list of accidents. There was nothing which could possibly have applied to Mr. Delora. I waited until eleven o'clock, and then sent up my name to Miss Delora.
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