“The woman who manages this inn placed them there. She is one of us.” “But what on earth for?” “So that the police might find them when they searched your bags.” “Why should they search my bags?” “There is a certain suspicion attaching to this place. It is impossible altogether to avoid it—so it is necessary to be very careful. The landlady thought that the discovery of the slippers might, in a measure, prepare the police for the arrival of your wife.” “Then she knew you were coming?” “Certainly—since last night.” “And when the man who was to meet you did not arrive, she decided that I would do?” “I suppose so.” “But how did she know I had a passport?” [Pg 73] [Pg 73] “Perhaps you told her.” Yes, Stewart reflected, he had told her, and yet he was not altogether satisfied. When had he told her? Surely it was not until he returned from his tour of the town; then there was not time—— “Here is your passport,” said his companion, abruptly breaking in upon his thoughts. “Fold it up and place it in your pocket. And do not find it too readily when the police ask for it. You must seem not to know exactly where it is. Also pack your belongings. Yes, you would better include the slippers. Meanwhile I shall try to make myself a little presentable,” and she opened the tiny bag from which she had produced the pen. “It seems to me,” said Stewart, as he proceeded to obey, “that one pair of slippers and one pair of stockings is rather scanty baggage for a lady who has been at Spa for a month.” “My baggage went direct from Spa to Brussels,” she answered from before the mirror, “in order to avoid the customs examination at the frontier. Have you any other questions?” “Only the big one as to who you really are, and
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