"One moment," said Wallion, "how did you get here?"
"That is very simple, as soon as Elaine started from Seattle on her imaginary quest, her father grew anxious and in a lucid moment confessed to me that he had acted on a delusion. I set off immediately to prevent the girl from doing anything foolish. My sister, Madame Nina Lorraine, is with me to look after things. The whole affair is a farce, but likely to end in a tragedy."
Wallion laughed and looked straight at the doctor.
"Do you know," he said, "why Miss Elaine is in hiding here? Are you aware that the police are looking for her?"
The doctor gave no answer. The door of the smoking-room slowly opened and Elaine stood on the threshold, pale and silent.
"What are you talking about?" she said in a monotonous tone. "I am here, take me home to father, Doctor Corman, I am so tired."
Corman took her hand with an air of triumph and speaking over her bowed head he said: "There, you see, Mr. Wallion. What are you going to do?"
Wallion replied: "I presume you and your sister are staying in some hotel?"
"Yes, at the Grand Hotel."
"Miss Robertson is quite at liberty to go with you. For the present any further discussion is unnecessary, but what I said just now was meant as a caution to you, doctor, and you shall hear from me before you leave."