guard over lower ten. Outside the heat rose in shimmering waves
from the tracks: the very wood of the car was hot to touch. A
Camberwell Beauty darted through the open door and made its way,
in erratic plunges, great wings waving, down the sunny aisle. All
around lay the peace of harvested fields, the quiet of the country.



CHAPTER VI

THE GIRL IN BLUE


I was growing more and more irritable. The thought of what the loss
of the notes meant was fast crowding the murder to the back of my
mind. The forced inaction was intolerable.

The porter had reported no bag answering the description of mine
on the train, but I was disposed to make my own investigation. I
made a tour of the cars, scrutinizing every variety of hand luggage,
ranging from luxurious English bags with gold mountings to the
wicker nondescripts of the day coach at the rear. I was not alone
in my quest, for the girl in blue was just ahead of me. Car by car
she preceded me through the train, unconscious that I was behind her,
looking at each passenger as she passed. I fancied the proceeding
was distasteful, but that she had determined on a course and was
carrying it through. We reached the end of the train almost
together--empty-handed, both of us.

The girl went out to the platform. When she saw me she moved aside,