"I think you will find that he is back again, Louis," I answered. "It was a very interesting trip to Newcastle, but it was soon over. He arrived in London with his illustrious companion last night."
This time I had really astonished Louis! He looked at me with a genuine expression of profound surprise.
"You are under the impression," he said slowly, "that Mr. Delora has been to Newcastle!"
"That is scarcely the way I look at it, Louis," I answered. "You see I was in Newcastle myself and saw him."
I fancy that Louis' manner toward me, from this time onward, acquired a new respect, but I recognized the fact that there was danger greater than ever before under his increasing suaveness.
"Captain Rotherby," he said, "you were not meant to be an idle man. You have gifts of which you should make use!"
"In the meantime," I said, "when can I see Mr. Delora?"
"This afternoon, if you like," Louis answered. "Here is his address."
He scribbled a few words down on a piece of paper and passed it to me. When I had received it I did not like it. It was an out-of-the-way street in Bermondsey, in a quarter of which I was absolutely ignorant except by repute.
"Couldn't we arrange, don't you think, Louis," I asked, "to have Mr. Delora come up here?"