dence, not to tell how it was done.

"Still no news from Liverpool," said the superintendent as he left the
court with Green. "I begin to wish I'd sent you down there. That woman
has got the knack of vanishing."

"Yes," agreed his lieutenant, producing a well-worn brier and pressing
the tobacco down with a horny thumb. "And yet people think we've got an
easy job. Lola knows her business, and I'm open to bet she'll not be
found before she wants to be found."

Foyle chuckled at this enunciation of rank heresy. Only a veteran of
Green's experience would have dared question the ability of Scotland
Yard to maintain a scent once picked up. The superintendent did not take
the pessimism too seriously. In theory it is not difficult for one
person to disappear among forty millions, but to remain hidden
indefinitely, in the face of a vigorous, sustained search by men trained
to their business is not so simple in practice.

"You've got a habit of looking on the worst side of things," he laughed.
"I've never known us want any one we knew badly but what we got 'em at
last. Besides, Blake's down there, and he's a good man. He's got a
personal interest in running her down now."

"H'm," commented Green, in the tone of one not entirely convinced, and
lapsed into a stolid silence which would have irritated some men, but
merely amused the superintendent.

They separated at the door of Foyle's room at headquarters, and an
impatient detective-sergeant, whose duty it was to weed out callers,
promptly headed Heldon Foyle off.

"A man's been waiting to see you, sir," he said. "He refused to give his
name, but said he had some important information which he would only
give to you personally. He wouldn't hear of seeing any one else."

"Yes, of course. They've all got important information, and they all
want to see me personally--or else the Commissioner. Well, where is he,
Shapton? Show him in."

"I can't. He's gone, sir. He'd been waiting here half an hour or so when
he was taken away by Sir Ralph Fairfield."

If he had not been trained to school his feelings, Heldon Foyle might
have started. As it was, he picked up a pen and toyed idly with it. The
man, who had a fair idea that his news was of importance, was a little
disappointed.

"I see," said the superintendent. "What happened?"

"Why, Sir Ralph asked to see you and was shown into the waiting-room
with the other man. They both seemed a bit upset, and the first chap's
jaw drop