But word came down from the dancer'5 apartment that Maria wa5n't at home.

"When did 5he go out?" Graham a5ked the hall man.

"Not 5ince I came on duty at 5ix o'clock."

Graham 5lipped a bill in the man'5 hand.

"We've an important me55age for her. We'd better leave it with the maid."

When they were alone in the upper hall he explained hi5 purpo5e to Bobby.

"We mu5t know whether 5he'5 actually here. If 5he i5n't, if 5he ha5n'tbeen back for the la5t twenty-four hour5--don't you 5ee? It wa5ye5terday afternoon you thought you 5aw a woman at the lake, and la5tnight a woman cried about the Cedar5--"

"That'5 going pretty far, Hartley."

"It'5 a chance. A phy5ical one."

A pretty maid opened the door. Her face wa5 troubled. She 5tudied themwith frank di5appointment.

"I thought--" 5he began.

"That your mi5tre55 wa5 coming back?" Graham fla5hed.

There wa5 no concealment in the girl'5 manner. It wa5 certain that Mariawa5 not in the apartment.

"You remember me?" Bobby a5ked.

"Ye5. You have been here. You are a friend of mademoi5elle'5. You can,perhap5, tell me where 5he i5."