"Oh! Like most Frenchman. 'E 'ad finnikin' ways, was middle-aged, with a brown beard which he seemed always a-strokin'. 'E 'ad lunch 'ere, and stayed all the afternoon smokin' cigarettes and lookin' through this window as though he hoped to see 'er pass. 'E was so inquisitive that I was glad when 'e'd gone. I suppose," the man added, "'e's somebody she's met abroad, eh?" But I knew the truth. His inquisitive visitor was Victor Tramu! CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. A WOMAN'S WORD. A hot, dusty walk took me beside the telegraph wires back to Bath, and the remainder of the day I spent in idleness in the hotel. If the great French detective were in the vicinity then I had no desire to be seen by him. Therefore I deemed it best to lie quite low until nightfall. At four o'clock, after great delay I got on to Tucker on the telephone, and inquired if there had been any letters or messages for me. "The police have been here again, and there's a telephone message, sir," replied the old man's voice. "It came about eleven o'clock, from a lady, sir. I took it down." "Read it over," I said. Then, listening intently, I heard the old man's voice say-- "The message, sir, is: `Please ask Mr Kemball to ring up, if possible, 802 Bournemouth--the Royal Bath Hotel--at six o'clock this evening--from Miss Seymour.'" My heart gave a bound of delight. "Nothing else, Tucker?" "No, sir. That's all the lady said. She seemed very anxious indeed to speak to you." "All right, Tucker. I'll be back in a day or two. By the way, send on my letters to the Grand Hotel, Bournemouth." "Very well, sir." "And tell the police not to worry any further over the burglary. Tell them I will see the inspector in Newport Pagnell on my return." "All right, sir." And then I hung up the receiver and rang off. Asta was at Bournemouth! My first impulse was to start at once to see her, but recollecting the reason I had come there to Bath, I managed to curb my impatience, eat my dinner in the quiet, old-fashioned coffee-room, and afterwards wait until darkness fell. I had no fixed plans, except to approach the Manor-House unobserved. I longed to call boldly upon the woman whom I knew to be an adventuress, but I could not see what benefit would accrue from it. If any conspiracy were in progress, she would, of course, deny all knowledge of Shaw's whereabouts. Therefore I bought some cigars, which I placed in my case, and when the autumn twilight had deepened into night I put on my motor-cap, and taking my stick, set out again to cover the three miles or so which lay between the hotel and the residence of the wealthy widow. I did not hurry, and as I approached the village and passed the inn with the red blinds I kept a wary eye, fearing lest Tramu might be in the vicinity.