“Then your accompanist came every morning, as you had directed, Miss Redmond; and Madame Florio sent word a dozen times about those new gowns.”  Lizzie, with the memory of her sudden importance, almost took up the role of baffled innocence.  “I declare, Miss Redmond, I didn’t know what to do or say to those people.  The whole thing seemed so irregular, with you not leaving any word of explanation with me.”

“That is true, Lizzie; it was irregular, and certainly very inconvenient.  And it is serious enough, so far as breaking my engagements is concerned.  But the circumstances were very unusual and—­pressing.  Some one else gave the message at the hotel, and, as you know, I had no time even to get a satchel.”

“That’s what I said when the reporters came—­that you were so worried over your sick relative that you did not wait for anything.”

Agatha groaned.  “Did—­did the papers have much to say about my leaving town?”

“They had columns, Miss Redmond, and some of them had your picture on the front page with an announcement of your elopement.  But Mr. Straker contradicted that; he told them he had heard from you, and that you were at the bedside of a dying relative.  Besides that, Miss Redmond, the difficulty in getting up an elopement story was the lack of a probable man.  Your manager and your accompanist were both found and interviewed, and there wasn’t anybody else in New York except me who knew you.  Your discretion, Miss Redmond, has always been remarkable.”

Agatha was suddenly tired of Lizzie.

“Very well, Lizzie, that will do.  You may go and get your own things unpacked.  We shan’t return to New York for several days yet.”

“You’ve heard from Mr. Straker, of course, Miss Redmond?”

“No, but I have written to him, explaining everything.  Why?”

“Oh, nothing; only when I sent him word that I had heard from you, he said at first that he was coming here with me.  Some business prevented him, but he must have telegraphed.”

“Maybe he has; but it takes some time, evidently, for a hidden person to be discovered in Ilion.”

As soon as the words were off her lips, Agatha realized that she had made a slip.  One has to look sharp when talking to a sophisticated maid.

“But were you hiding, Miss Redmond?” Lizzie artlessly inquired.

“Oh, no, Lizzie; don’t be silly.  The telegram probably went wrong; telegrams often do.”

“Not when Mr. Straker sends them,” proffered Lizzie.  “But if his telegrams have gone wrong, you may count on his coming down here himself.  He is much worried over the rehearsals, which begin early in the month, he said.  And he got the full directions you sent me for coming here; he would have them.”