The tall man merely stared at Hambledon who came to the conclusion that his astonishing announcement had not been heard.

“Someone has tried to murder Alfred Meyer,” he bawled.

“All right,” said the tall man. He looked disgusted and faintly alarmed.

“Carolyn wants you to come along to their sleeper.”

“You haven’t told her—?”

“No, no. But I wish you’d let me—”

The inside door of the little lobby burst open, smacking Hambledon in the rear. The pale face of Mr. Alfred Meyer appeared round the side.

“Hailey — do come along. What are you — oh!” He glanced at the tall man.

“We are both coming,” said Hambledon.

They all lurched along the narrow corridor off which the two sleepers opened. They passed the first door and Meyer led them in at the second. The “de-luxe” sleeper was a small cabin with two narrow bunks and a wash-basin. Carolyn Dacres, wearing some sort of gorgeous dressing-robe, sat on the bottom bunk. Her arms were clasped round her knees. Her long reddish-brown hair hung in a thick twist over her shoulder.

“Hullo!” she said, looking at the tall man. “Hailey says he thinks you’d better hear all about it.”

“I’m sure you’d rather talk over whatever has happened among yourselves. I assure you I’ve no desire to butt in.”