There was nothing left for me but to go down and interview my friend the hall-porter.  I commenced my inquiries with the usual question.

“Any news of Mr. Delora, Ashley?” I asked.

“None at all, sir,” the man replied.  “A companion has arrived for Miss Delora.”

“So I have discovered for myself,” I answered.  “Do you know anything about her, Ashley?”

The man shook his head.

“She arrived here yesterday afternoon,” he said, “with a trunk.  She went straight up to Miss Delora’s room, and I have not seen them apart since.”

“Do they come down to the cafe?” I asked.

“So far, sir,” the man answered, “they have had everything served in their sitting-room.”

I went back to my room and rang up number 157.  The voice which answered me was the voice of the woman who had denied me admission to the room.

“I wish to speak to Miss Delora,” I said.

“Miss Delora is engaged,” was the abrupt answer.

“Nonsense!” I answered.  “I insist upon speaking to her.  Tell her that it is Captain Rotherby, and she will come to the telephone.”

There was a little whirr, but no answer.  The person at the other end had rung off.  By this time I was getting angry.  In five minutes time I rang up again.  The same voice answered me.

“Look here,” I said, “if you do not let me speak to Miss Delora, I shall ring up every five minutes during the day!”

“Monsieur can do as he pleases,” was the answer.  “I shall lay the receiver upon the table.  It will not be possible to get connected.”

“Do, if you like,” I answered, “but how about when Mr. Delora rings you up?”

The woman muttered something which I did not catch.  A moment afterwards, however, her voice grew clear.

“That is not your business,” she said sharply.

I tried to continue the conversation, but in vain.  Nothing came from the other end but silence.  I busied myself for a time glancing at a few unimportant letters, and afterwards descended to lunch in the cafe.  I fancied, for a moment, that Louis’ self-possession was less perfect than usual.  He certainly showed some surprise when he saw me, and he came to my table with a little less alacrity.

“Louis,” I said, “I shall order my lunch from some one else, not from you.”

“Monsieur has lost confidence?” he asked.

“Not in your judgment, Louis,” I answered.

Louis looked me straight in the eyes.  It was not a practice which he often indulged in.

“Captain Rotherby,” he said, “you should be on our side.  It would not be necessary then to interfere with any of your plans.”

He looked at me meaningly, and I understood.

“It is you, Louis, I presume, whom I have to thank for the lady upstairs?” I remarked.

Louis shrugged his shoulders.

“Why do you seek the man Delora?” he asked.  “What concern is it of yours?  If you persist, the consequences are inevitable.”