Returning to his taxi, he continued his journey till he reached King’s Cross. It was just nine o’clock, and the great station was partially deserted, there being a lull in the traffic about that hour. For the first time that day Tanner felt cool, and he began to realise that he was tired. But apart from the general urgency of his business, he expected the persons he wished to see were on evening duty, and he decided he must finish his inquiries then and there. He therefore went to the stationmaster’s office, and sent in his card. A dark, intelligent looking young man with an alert manner received him, and to him Tanner explained his business. ‘I did hear something about it,’ the young man returned. ‘If you will wait a moment I’ll make inquiries.’ He left the room, returning presently with a clerk. ‘Mr Williams here remembers the affair. He dealt with it. Tell this gentleman what you know, Williams.’ ‘On Wednesday evening, the 7th instant, about 7.20 or 25,’ began Williams, ‘a man called at the office and said he had booked a berth to Montrose on the 7.15 p.m., but that he had missed the train while in the refreshment room. He said his suit-case and waterproof had gone on in the train, and he asked what I would advise him to do.’ ‘That’s the man,’ said Tanner, nodding. ‘Yes?’ ‘I told him the trains. The next to Montrose was the 10.30 p.m., and his mistake only meant that he would reach there at 8.24 a.m. instead of 5.25. But it seemed he wanted to arrive early, and I mentioned the 8.30 p.m. which runs from here to Dundee, suggesting he could go on by car. But on going into it he decided even this would be too late, and said he would travel on the 10.30. With regard to his luggage I offered to wire Grantham, which is the first stop of both the 7.15 p.m. and the 10.30, to have it collected from the sleeping car on the 7.15 p.m., and put into the 10.30. He agreed to this, and I sent the telegram at once.’ ‘Would you know the man if you saw him again?’ ‘Yes, I believe I should.’ ‘Any of these he?’ and Tanner handed over the half-dozen photographs. The clerk instantly passed over Sir William’s and those of the strangers, then he examined Austin’s for some moments with a puzzled expression, but when he came to Cosgrove’s he hesitated no longer. ‘That’s the man,’ he said, repeating Tanner’s words of a moment before, ‘I should know him anywhere.’ ‘So far so good,’ thought Tanner as he stepped out once more on to the concourse. ‘Now for the refreshment room.’ He found the platform from which the 7.15 had started on the night in question, and looked about him. There was little doubt as to where Cosgrove had gone for his cigars. On the platform itself was a large sign ‘First-Class-Refreshment Room.’ The Inspector pushed open the door and entered. ‘Good evening,’ he said, raising his hat politely to the presiding goddess. ‘I want a few cigars, please.’ ‘I have only these,’ the girl answered, placing two partially emptied boxes before him.