"That's me, sir," was his answer to my inquiry.
"Well," I asked, "anything fresh?"
"Yes, sir. A lady called to see you at seven o'clock—a young French lady. I saw her and explained that you were away until to-morrow, and——"
"Yes, yes!" I cried eagerly. "A French lady. Did she give her name?"
"No, sir. She only told me to tell you that if I mentioned the word 'nightingale,' you would know."
"The Nightingale!" I gasped, astounded. It was Lola! And she had called upon me!
"When is she coming back?" I demanded eagerly.
"She didn't say, sir—only told me to tell you how sorry she was that you were out. She had travelled a long way to see you."
"But didn't she say she'd call back?" I demanded, full of chagrin that I should have so unfortunately been absent.