On seeing me he drew back, and cast a quick, inquisitive glance at Lola.
"This is M'sieur Vidal," the girl exclaimed in her pretty broken English, introducing us. "My very good friend of whom I spoke yesterday--M'sieur Edouard Craig."
We bowed to each other, and I thought I saw upon his face a look of annoyance. He had evidently believed Lola to be alone.
In an instant, however, the shadow fled from the young man's face, and he exclaimed with frankness--
"I'm extremely pleased to know you, sir, more especially after what Lola has told me concerning you."
"What has she told you?" I asked, with a smile. "Nothing very terrible, I hope?"
For a second he did not reply. Then, looking over at her as she stood on the opposite side of the table, he replied--
"Well, she has told me of your long friendship and--and--may I be permitted to tell Mr. Vidal, Lola?" he suddenly asked, turning to her.
"Then I will not conceal it," he went on, turning back to me. "Lola has explained to me her position, her connection with certain undesirable persons, whom we need not mention, and how you in your generosity allowed her her freedom."
"She has told you!" I gasped in surprise, not understanding in what position he stood towards the dainty little Parisienne. "Well, Mr. Craig, I thought you knew that long ago," I added after a pause.
"Until last night, I was in entire ignorance of the whole truth. I met Lola at Hampstead, and she explained many things that have astounded me."
"I have told Mr. Craig the truth," declared the girl, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "It was only right that he should know who and what I am--especially as----" she broke off suddenly.
"Especially as I love you, Lola, eh?" the young man chimed in, grasping her hand and raising it to his lips fondly.
This revelation staggered me. The pair were lovers! This man, whose attitude when he saw her in secret at Boscombe was so antagonistic, was now deeply in love with her! Surely I was living in a world of surprises!
How much, I wondered, had she revealed to this man who was believed to have been buried?
For some moments all three of us stood looking at each other, neither uttering a word.
Then I swiftly put to the young man several questions, and receiving answers, excused myself, and went below to the telephone.