THROUGH THE TELEPHONE There was no doubt about it that Delora had disappeared.

I followed the reception clerk downstairs myself within the space of a few minutes, and made the most careful inquiries in every part of the hotel.

It did not take me very long to ascertain, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that he was not upon the premises, nor had he yet been seen by any one connected with the place.

I even walked to the corner of the courtyard and looked aimlessly up and down the Strand.

Within those few hundred yards which lay between where I was standing and Charing Cross something had happened which had prevented his reaching the hotel.