CHAPTER XII.
FELICIA DELORA I looked at the two men, and they returned my gaze with interest.
"Are you Captain Rotherby, sir ?" the inspector asked.
I nodded.
"That is my name," I said.
"We shall be glad to have a few words with you, sir," he declared.
"You had better come inside," I answered, and led the way into my sitting-room.
"We have been sent for," the inspector continued, "to inquire into the disappearance of Mr.Delora,--the gentleman who was expected to have arrived at this hotel this evening," he added, referring to his notes.
To me, who with a natural egotism had been thinking of my own affairs, and had been expecting nothing less than arrest, this declaration of the object of their visit had its consolations.
"We understand," the inspector continued, "that you travelled with Mr.Delora and his niece from Folkestone to Charing Cross." "That is quite true," I answered.

"The guard put them in my carriage." "Did you converse with them during the journey, sir ?" "The man was asleep all the way," I answered.

"He never even opened his eyes till we were practically in London." "You talked, perhaps, with the young lady ?" the man inquired.
"If I did," I answered serenely, "it seems to me that it was my business." The police inspector was imperturbable.
"When was the last time you saw this Mr.Delora ?" he asked.
"At Charing Cross Station," I answered.

"He left the carriage directly the train stopped and went to get a hansom.

He had been sea-sick coming over, and was anxious to get to the hotel very quickly." "Leaving his niece alone ?" the man asked.
"Leaving her in my care," I answered.