Monday night."

"Robert?" said Bill eagerly.

"I didn't say Robert," said Antony, smiling. "I just want you to
find out if they had a visitor who slept there on Monday night.
A stranger. If so, then any particulars you can get of him,
without letting the landlord know that you are interested--"

"Leave it to me," broke in Bill. "I know just what you want."

"Don't assume that it was Robert--or anybody else. Let them
describe the man to you. Don't influence them unconsciously by
suggesting that he was short or tall, or anything of that sort.
Just get them talking. If it's the landlord, you'd better stand
him a drink or two."

"Right you are," said Bill confidently. "Where do I meet you
again?"

"Probably at 'the George.' If you get there before me, you can
order dinner for eight o'clock. Anyhow we'll meet at eight, if
not before."

"Good." He nodded to Antony and strode off back to Stanton
again.

Antony stood watching him with a little smile at his enthusiasm.
Then he looked round slowly, as if in search of something.
Suddenly he saw what he wanted. Twenty yards farther on a lane