bald-headed companion.

He took a turn up and down the corridor, and up and down again. They
were not there.

He even walked through the dining-rooms.

Nothing!

"Hum!" said he, at length--and returned to the red-room, and to his
chair. It was quite possible that Mrs. Clephane would be back in a
moment--yet somehow he doubted.

He waited for a quarter of an hour, and she did not come. He made
another tour of Peacock Alley, the lobby, the dining-rooms, and back to
the red-room.

Nothing!

He looked at his watch--it was half-after-seven o'clock. He would wait
fifteen minutes longer. Then, if she had not come, he would go about his
business--which, at present, was to dine.

He sat with his watch in his hand, looking down the room and at those
who entered.

The fifteen minutes passed. He put up his watch and arose; the wait was
ended.

He crossed the corridor to the dining-room.