"We had better not split our forces," Nikka objected.
"Engine trouble would never bother Betty," Hugh said. "Still, I don't like it."
"We are probably worrying about nothing," I said. "After all, it was a blessing in disguise that she stayed out so late. It insured against her being caught by that note in case we hadn't intercepted it."
"I'm not interested in 'if,' and 'had,'" snapped Hugh. "I don't like this delay. Those devils of Toutou's are capable of having an extra trick in reserve."
"I vote we go back to the hotel," proposed Nikka; "maybe I can pick up one of my Gypsies. We could start them out on the trail."
Nikka's suggestion did not make anybody any happier. It indicated that he, like the rest of us, was commencing to take the situation more seriously than he cared to admit openly. But we climbed into the smelly taxi for the fourth time, and were jounced up to Pera. The hotel people regarded us with some amazement when Vernon King again inquired for his daughter. No, she had not returned. Was anything wrong?
King hesitated, looked at us. It was hard to know what to say. Something might be wrong. And yet the chances were that the only thing wrong was a cranky motor. We didn't want publicity. We couldn't afford to attract unnecessary attention. Our party was sufficiently conspicuous, as it was, and was taken for granted and let alone largely because it included an American millionaire archæologist and an English milord, both of whom, by all the rules of the Orient, were naturally assumed to be harmless lunatics.
"No," he answered at length, "I think not. My daughter has a reliable servant with her. I am simply anxious for her return."
The hotel management were all sympathy. Monsieur need not worry. Let him dine in comfort. The instant Mademoiselle returned or word of her arrived he should be apprised. In the meantime, why concern himself unnecessarily?
"They're right," said Hugh as we grouped in the lobby, canvassing our next step. "We've had a hard day, and we need food. Let's eat. By the way, Nikka, did you see your Gypsies?"