noon
The young Englishman was naturally eager to further penetrate the veil of mystery surrounding Mademoiselle Yvonne , but he learned little or nothing . Vervoort either knew nothing , or else refused to disclose what he knew . Which , Hugh could not exactly decide . Therefore , in accordance with the Belgian 's instructions , he left the house and at noon carried his valise to the Rue Gretry , where he found his friend awaiting him in a closed car , which quickly moved off out of the city by the Laeken road . Travelling by way of Vilvorde they were within an hour in old-world Malines , famous for its magnificent cathedral and its musical carillon . Crossing the Louvain Canal and entering by the Porte de Bruxelles , they were soon in an inartistic cobbled street under the shadow of St. Rombold , and a few minutes later Hugh was introduced to a short , stout Belgian woman , Madame Maupoil . The place was meagrely furnished , but scrupulously clean .