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"Captain Rotherby," he said, "there is one thing I should like to ask you. How did you know of Mr. Delora's projected visit to Newcastle?" I smiled. "Why should I give away my methods, Louis?" I said. "You know very well that the movements of Mr. Delora have become very interesting to me. You and I are on opposite sides. I certainly do not feel called upon to disclose my sources of information."
"Monsieur is very much interested, doubtless," Louis said thoughtfully. "He travelled with them, he expressed, I believe, an admiration for the young lady. Doubtless he is very much interested." "So much so, Louis," I answered, "that I intend to do everything I can to solve the mystery of Delora's disappearance. I am an idle man, and it will amuse me." Louis shook his head.
"The gentleman who did not arrive last night?" he remarked. I nodded. "I travelled up with them," I said, "from Folkestone, and certainly Mr. Delora's behavior was a little peculiar as we neared London. He seemed nervous, and anxious to quit the train at the earliest possible moment.
"Mr. Delora has no desire to hide himself from any one," Louis answered calmly. "That is a statement which I may be permitted to doubt!" the visitor answered. "Is that the door of his sleeping chamber? If so, I am going in!" He pointed to the door, through the transept of which I was looking into the sitting-room. Louis moved on one side. "That is Mr. Delora's room," he said softly.
Immediately I arrived at my brother's hotel I rang up the hall-porter of the Milan and informed him of my whereabouts. Afterwards Ralph and I between us concocted a cable to Dicky, for which I was thankful that I had not to pay. I had now taken Ralph into my entire confidence, and I found that he took very much the same view of Delora's behavior as I did. This is what we said, Have seen Delora.
I wrote a letter explaining my visit and my suspicions, and placed it in Ashley's hands. "Look here, Ashley," I said, "I am going off on an errand which I don't feel quite comfortable about. Between you and me, it is connected with the disappearance of Miss Delora's uncle. I feel that it is likely, even probable, that I shall get into trouble, and I want you to promise me this.
"Delora is honest, but it is a great secret which he controls, and the only chance of using it successfully is to keep it a secret from the whole world!" "How am I to be introduced into the room, Louis?" I asked. "That," he answered, "will be easy. There are two lifts, as you know, one from the smoking-room and one from the entrance hall. The number of Mr. Delora's apartment is 157.
"I have some idea of it," she answered. Her answer puzzled me. If Felicia really had any idea as to the nature of it, and was content to play the part she was playing, it certainly could not be anything of an illicit nature. Yet everything else which had come under my notice pointed to Delora's being associated with a criminal undertaking. I paced the room, deep in thought.
"But there is one other thing which I am going to do. I am going to say in my cable, that if the news he receives from you to-morrow morning is not satisfactory, I shall lay the matter before the Brazilian legation here, and I shall explain why!" Delora's eyes were like points of fire. Nevertheless, his self-restraint was admirable. He contented himself, indeed, with a low bow.
Are you going to give me Delora's address?" "That is not the trouble, monsieur," Louis declared. "Mr. Delora is away from London." "I think you will find that he is back again, Louis," I answered. "It was a very interesting trip to Newcastle, but it was soon over. He arrived in London with his illustrious companion last night." This time I had really astonished Louis!
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