THE RESCUE EXPEDITION
and turning towards the door. "I might have known."
Phipps' mouth opened and shut.
"You're tired, I'm sure, Mr. Phipps," said the lady, soothingly. "Let me ring for some tea for you." It suddenly occurred to Phipps that he had lapsed a little from his chivalry. "I was a little annoyed at the way he rushed me to do all this business," he said. "But I'd do a hundred times as much if it would bring you any nearer to her." Pause. "I would like a little tea."
"I don't want to raise any false hopes," said Widgery. "But I do not believe they even came to Chichester. Dangle's a very clever fellow, of course, but sometimes these Inferences of his———"
"Tchak!" said Phipps, suddenly.
"What is it?" said Mrs. Milton.
"Something I've forgotten. I went right out from here, went to every other hotel in the place, and never thought— But never mind. I'll ask when the waiter comes."
"You don't mean———"
A tap, and the door opened. "Tea, m'm? yes, m'm," said the waiter.
"One minute," said Phipps. "Was a lady in grey, a cycling lady———?"
"Stopped here yesterday? Yessir. Stopped the night. With her brother, sir—a young gent."
"Brother!" said Mrs. Milton, in a low tone. "Thank God!"
The waiter glanced at her and understood everything. "A young gent, sir," he said, "very free
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