"No, sir. She said she might be able to call sometime to-morrow afternoon, but was not at all certain."
I held the receiver in my trembling fingers in reflection. Nothing could be done. I had missed her—missed seeing Lola!
Surely my absence had been a great, and, perhaps, unredeemable misfortune.
"Very well," I said at last. "You know what to do to-night, Rayner?"
"Yes, sir."
"And I will be back in the morning."
"Very good, sir," responded my man, and I shut off. I paid my bill, went outside and lit up the big headlamps of the car. Then I drove slowly out of the yard, and out of the town, in the direction of Cromer.
It had been a close day, and the night, dark and oppressive, was overcast with a threatening storm. The dust swept up before me with every gust of wind as I went slowly along that high road which led towards the sea. I proceeded very leisurely, my thoughts full of my fair visitor.
Lola had called upon me! Why? Surely, after what had occurred, I could never have hoped for another visit from her.
Yes. It must be something of the greatest importance upon which she wished to consult me. Evidently she knew of my presence in Cromer—knew, possibly, of the efforts I was making to unravel the mystery of old Vernon Gregory.