Page:Waylaid by Wireless - Balmer - 1909.djvu/220

Rh not return to his rooms at the Grand Hotel till after half-past twelve, and we know that the Bahia sailed sharp at twelve. If he had left as early as eleven, he must explain what he was doing between that hour and his return to the Grand Hotel at twelve-forty. But if he did not leave the Tudor till after twelve, obviously we are wasting our time in trying to trace him in this matter. So I wish to know only, madam, if you are certain that this young man did not leave your parlors at the Tudor Hotel till twelve o'clock or after."

"I am certain."

"May I ask, as is my duty, how you are certain?"

"Because, Inspector," Mrs. Varris replied patiently, "some little time before, I went into my own room, which was just next to our parlor and between that and my daughter's room.

"I was very tired and lay down in my room. When my daughter closed the outside door of our suite, after Mr. Preston had gone, 196