He straightened himself slowly, and as he did so the door of the second studio was pulled back and a girl appeared in the opening. She was a fair-haired, cheerful-looking girl, wearing a brown overall and smoking a cigarette. "Excuse my butting in," she said, "but do you want to speak to Miss Seymour?" Colin took off his hat. "I do," he said, "rather particularly." "Well, I'm afraid it's no good waiting," was the answer. "She went out just after eight o'clock this morning, and I know she won't be back till late, because she asked me to take in a parcel for her." "I suppose you don't happen to know where she was going to?" asked Colin. "Please forgive my curiosity, but I am a friend of Doctor Ashton's, for whom Miss Seymour works, and as she hasn't turned up and has sent no message, we are both feeling rather anxious about her." "She has gone to see her lawyer," replied the girl. "He sent a car around to fetch her, that's why she went off in such a hurry." Colin stared at her in astonishment. "Her lawyer?" he repeated. "That's what she told me. I think from the way she spoke he wanted to see her suddenly about some important business. Anyhow, I know the chauffeur brought a letter with him, because she had it in her hand." "Did you notice the man?" demanded Colin, "Would you be able to describe him again?" The girl raised her eyebrows. "I don't suppose so," she said coolly. "He was on the landing, but it doesn't happen to be a habit of mine to stare at chauffeurs." With a big effort Colin pulled himself together. "I beg your pardon," he said. "Perhaps I ought to explain. Miss Seymour and I are engaged to be married, so you will understand why I'm feeling worried about this sudden disappearance of hers." The girl looked up at him sympathetically. "Why, of course," she replied, "but surely there's no reason to be alarmed? I expect she intended to ring up when she reached the lawyer's office, and then something came along and put it out of her head. She has probably done so by now." "It won't take me long to find out, anyhow," said Colin. He paused. "Are you likely to be at home the rest of the day?" he asked. His companion nodded. "Yes," she said. "I live here. I'm an artist." "Then, just in case Miss Seymour does come home, would you mind asking her to let Doctor Ashton know immediately?" "Certainly I will," said the girl. "Even if I don't hear her, she's sure to look in in order to see about the parcel." She hesitated. "I--I should like to congratulate you, if I may," she added. "I don't know Miss Seymour very well--I have only been in this studio a few weeks--but one's merely got to speak to her to see that she's a perfect dear." In spite of his anxiety, Colin smiled at her gratefully. "Thank you so much," he said. "I'll tell Nancy what a brick you've been." He shook her hand and, leaving her standing in the doorway, hurried downstairs again into the street.