t
again. And she _did_ want that box!

She smiled, and sighed, and looked delightfully pretty and appealing, as
she said frankly--

"Thank you, I _should_ be grateful for suggestions. It's the most
extraordinary and provoking thing--"

They walked slowly down the platform while she explained the situation,
and reiterated the fact that she had seen the box ten minutes before.
Erskine Fanshawe did not dispute the statement as each porter had done
before him; he contented himself with asking if there was any
distinctive feature in the appearance of the box itself.

Claire shook her head.

"The ordinary brown leather, with strappings and C.G. on one side. Just
like a thousand other boxes, but it had a label, beside the initials. I
don't see how anyone can have taken it by mistake." She set her teeth,
and her head took a defiant tilt. "There's one comfort; if it _is_
stolen, whoever has taken it will not get much for her pains! There's
nothing in it but skirts. Skirts won't be much good without the bodices
to match!"

The man looked down at her, his expression comically compounded of
sympathy and humour. At that moment, despite the irregularity of his
features, he looked wonderfully like his handsome mother.

"Er--just so! Unfortunately, however, from the opposite point of view,
you find yourself in the same position! Bodices, I presume, without
skirts--"

Claire groaned, and held up a protesting hand.

"Don't! I can't bear it. It's really devastating. My whole outfit--at
one fell sweep!"

"Isn't it--excuse my suggesting it--rather a mistake to--er--divide
pieces of the same garment, _so_ that if one trunk should be lost, the
loss practically extends to two?"

"No, it isn't. It's the only sensible thing to do," Claire said
obstinately. "Skirts must be packed at full length, and a dress-box is
made for that very purpose. All the same, I shall never do it again.
It's no use being sensible if you have to contend with--_thieves_!"

"I don't think we need leap to that conclusion just yet. You have only
spoken to two or three porters. We'd better wait about a few minutes
longer until the other men come back. Very likely the box was put on a
truck by accident, and if the mistake was discovered before it was put
on the taxi, it would be sent back to see if its owner were waiting
here. If it doesn't turn up at once, you mustn't be discouraged. The
odds are ten to one that it's only a mistake, and