Clephane had been out
since five o'clock and had not yet returned.
Harleston thanked her, hung up the receiver, and turned to Banks.
"I have reason to believe that Mrs. Clephane, who is a guest of the
hotel, has disappeared. I was talking to her in the red-room at about
6:30, when I was called to the telephone. On my return, after a brief
absence, she was gone, and a frequent and thorough search on the first
floor did not disclose her. She was to have dined with me at
seven-thirty. She did not keep the engagement. I dined alone, and had
just begun the meal when a letter was handed to me asking that I dine
with her in her apartment, No. 972. I came here at once--and was held up
by two men and a woman, who sought to obtain something that they
imagined was in my possession. It wasn't, however, and we fought; and I
raised sufficient disturbance to bring you. You see, I have told you
something of the affair. The note was a forgery. This isn't Mrs.
Clephane's apartment, and her maid has just told me that her mistress
has not been in her apartment since five o'clock--which was the time she
met me. I am persuaded that she is a prisoner, and likely in this
hotel--held so to prevent her disclosing a certain matter to a certain
high official.
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