y,--I really do not know
anything more about him."

"Has his niece accompanied him always?" I asked.

"Never before," Mr. Helmsley answered,--"at least, not to my
recollection."

"You do not know what part of South America he comes from?" I asked.

"I have no idea," Mr. Helmsley declared. "His letters are always
forwarded to an agent."

"So practically you can tell me nothing," I said, rising.

"Nothing at all, I fear," Mr. Helmsley answered. "I shall make it a
point of calling upon the young lady within an hour or so, to inquire
again about her uncle."

"The young lady has gone out," I remarked. "I have just sent my own
name up."

Mr. Helmsley raised his eyebrows. He, too, was surprised.

"Then she has probably heard something," he remarked.

"Perhaps," I answered. "By the bye, I understand that Louis is back."

"He came by the night train," Mr. Helmsley answered. "I scarcely
expected him so soon. You will probably see him in the cafe at
luncheon-time."

I took my leave of the manager and returned to my own side of the
hotel.

"If Miss Delora should come in," I said to the hall-porter on my way
to the lift, "please let me know. I shall be in my room, writing
letters."

"Miss Delora came in just after you crossed the courtyard, sir," the
man answered. "She is in her room now."

"Alone?" I asked.

"I believe that she came in with a gentleman, sir. Shall I ring up and
ask for her?"

I hesitated for a moment. I was recalling to myself her statement that
she had no friends in London whatsoever.

"Yes!" I answered. "Send up my name, and say that I should like to see
her."

The man went to the telephone, and emerged from the box a moment
later.

"Miss Delora would be much obliged," he said, "if you would kindly go
to her room in a quarter of an hour."

I nodded, and turned away for the lift. The cigarette between my lips
was suddenly tasteless. I was experiencing a new sensation, and
distinctly an unpleasant one. With it was coupled an intense
curiosity to know the identity of the man who was even now with
Felicia!

CHAPTER XIII

LOUIS, MAITRE D'HOTEL

I measured out that quarter of an hour into minutes, and almost into
seconds. Then I knocked at the door of the sitting-room, and was
bidden enter by Felicia Delora herself. She was alone, but she was
dressed for the street, and was apparently just leaving the hotel
again. Her clothes were of fashionable make, and cut with the most
d