“No, sir. She’s alone.”
“Are you quite sure of that?”
“Quite. I took her name when she arrived in the hotel. She has no maid.”
“And no lady friend?”
“No. She’s entirely alone.”
That surprised me. Had Sybil parted from her and gone straight on to Newcastle in order to find me? There was nothing to be done but to wait till half-past five, and call again on Mrs Rumbold. I therefore took a room at the hotel, and lunched in the coffee-room.
The woman’s excuse made me suspicious that she wished to avoid meeting me, and that when I returned at six I should find her gone.
So I passed the time in writing letters, and remained in patience until half-past five, when I sent up again to know if she would receive me. The answer came back that she was still too unwell, and I sent word to her that I could wait, as I wished to see her upon a very important matter.
My determination showed her that I did not intend that she should escape; therefore, just before the dinner gong rang the waiter came to me and said that the lady was in the small drawing-room upstairs and would see me.
I ascended the stairs wondering what would be the outcome of my interview. I wanted to ascertain who the woman was and the nature of the relations between her and Sybil.