"Walmsley, my dear fellow!" he exclaimed. "Eve, dear! The problem is
solved! Raise your glasses and drink with me. Here's farewell to Mr.
Joseph H. Parker and Miss Parker. And a welcome to Mr. and Miss
Bundercombe, of Okata!"
"That's all very well," I said; "but Reggie will be on your track."
Mr. Parker beamed on Eve and me.
"We shall see!" he declared didactically.
CHAPTER IX--THE EXPOSURE
The next morning at twelve o'clock I took a taxi-cab round to Banton
Street. The hall porter, who was beginning to know me well, seemed a
little surprised at my appearance.
"Is the young lady upstairs?" I asked.
He was distinctly taken aback.
"Mr. Parker and his daughter have gone," he told me. I stopped on my way
to the stairs.
"Gone?" I repeated.
"Went off this morning," he continued; "two taxi-cabs full of luggage."
"Aren't they coming back?"
"No signs of it."
"Did they leave any address?"
"None!"
"Are you sure?" I persisted. "Please ask at the office."
The porter left me for a moment, but returned shaking his head.
"Mr. Parker said there would be no messages or letters, and accordingly he
left no address."
I turned slowly away. The hall porter followed me.
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