"I will explain that afterwards." "I had previously wired the girl's mother that she would not be home that night.

I also wired to Mr.Lyne, asking him to meet me at Miss Rider's flat.

I took the liberty of fixing Miss Rider's name to the invitation, thinking that that would induce him to come." "It also covered you," said Tarling, "and kept your name out of the business altogether." "Yes," said Mr.Milburgh, as though the idea had not struck him before, "yes, it did that.

I had sent Miss Rider off in a hurry.

I begged that she would not go near the flat, and I promised that I myself would go there, pack the necessary articles for the journey and take them down in a taxi to Charing Cross." "I see," said Tarling, "so it was you who packed the bag ?" "Half-packed it," corrected Mr.Milburgh.