And then the man told us something which caused us to stare at each other in speechless amazement.
The man was a liar—and I told him so openly to his face.
His astounding words rendered the remarkable enigma more complex than ever!
Chapter Fifteen.
A Man Deceives a Woman.
The story told me by the bald-headed Italian hotel-keeper was that another man had usurped my place!
He said that Mrs Holford, accompanied by her husband, had arrived at about seven o’clock on the morning of the day before yesterday, remained there the day, and had left by the express for Rome at five o’clock that same evening.
“You don’t believe it, sir!” the man exclaimed with some warmth. “Well, here is the gentleman’s signature!” And he showed me upon a printed slip, whereon hotel visitors in Italy write their names according to the police regulations, boldly inscribed in a firm hand, “Mr and Mrs Henry Holford. Profession, automobile engineer. Domicile, London. British subject.”