blank and crossing to the up platform Tommy made inquiries of the ticket collector and of various porters. After the distribution of half crowns as a preliminary to inquiring, two of the porters picked out one of the other photographs with a vague remembrance that someone like that travelled to town by the four forty that afternoon, but there was no identification of Una Drake.
“But that doesn’t prove anything,” said Tuppence as they left the station. “She may have travelled by that train and no one noticed her.”
“She may have gone from the other station, from Torre.”
“That’s quite likely,” said Tuppence, “however, we can see to that after we have been to the hotel.”
The Castle Hotel was a big one overlooking the sea. After booking a room for the night and signing the register, Tommy observed pleasantly:
“I believe you had a friend of ours staying here last Tuesday. Miss Una Drake.”
The young lady in the bureau beamed at him.
“Oh yes, I remember quite well. An Australian young lady I believe.”
At a sign from Tommy, Tuppence produced the photograph.
“That is rather a charming photograph of her, isn’t it?” said Tuppence.
“Oh very nice, very nice indeed, quite stylish.”
“Did she stay here long?” inquired Tommy.
“Only one night. She went away by the Express the next morning back to London. It seemed a long way to come for one night but of course