He was not upstairs for more than five minutes—just sufficient to reassure the weird recluse and hand to him the necessities required. Then he came down again, and calmly read the evening paper till his meal was ready.
Marigold did not return before seven, but she left her lover to resume his vigil outside.
At eight o'clock Bernard Boyne went out as usual, and Marigold spent another quiet evening with her aunt, confident that Gerald was keeping a very vigilant eye upon the man of mystery!
Next day at the lunch hour she went eagerly to the little restaurant, but he did not put in an appearance. She wondered why.
On returning to the bank she at once rang up his office, but was informed that he had not been there that day! He had sent his principal a telegram stating that he had been suddenly taken ill, and apologised for his absence. The doctor had said that he could not return for several days.
Making excuse to Mr. Kenyon, the assistant manager, she left the bank at four, and at once went over to Ealing, only to find that his sister had received a telegram late on the previous night, which had been handed in at Charing Cross Post Office and read:
"Don't worry! Am all right. Returning in two or three days. Writing.—GERALD."
Further mystified, she at once went back to Hammersmith, where she found a telegram which had arrived for her at eleven o'clock that morning. It had been dispatched from Knightsbridge, and read:
"Am all right, dear! Do not worry. Have discovered something, but am not returning for a day or two.—GERRY."
"Is it from Mr. Boyne?" asked her aunt as she watched the girl's face.