"About half hour ago, I should say. Party she was expecting to meet her didn't turn up, and I had to git her a red-cap to carry her suit-case. Thanky, sir."
Quin tore back to the station and dashed through the waiting-room, the dining-room, the baggage-room. He was on the point of going out to the taxi-stand and interrogating each driver in turn, when his eyes were caught by a smart suit-case that lay unattended on one of the seats. It bore the inscription "E.M.B.—Ky."
In his sudden relief he could have snatched it up and embraced it. But where was Eleanor? For five interminable minutes he stood guard over her property, watching every exit and entrance, and pacing the floor in his impatience. Suddenly an idea occurred to him, and, cursing himself for his stupidity, he strode over to the telephone-booths.
Eleanor was in the corner one, the receiver at her ear, evidently waiting for her call. As Quin flung upon the door she turned and faced him in defiant surprise.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded indignantly. "Did grandmother send you?"
"No; she doesn't know I'm here."
Eleanor turned nervously to the telephone.
"Hello! I can't understand you. Put—what? Oh! I forgot. Wait a minute——"
Letting the receiver swing, she fumbled in her purse; then, finding no small change, looked appealingly at Quin.
He produced the necessary coin and handed it to her.