"Lord Maltravers is down-stairs, sir, and Mrs. Van Hoosen requests your presence."
The young men looked at one another.
"Say I am indisposed," exclaimed Alfred; "desire my mother to make my excuses."
"Yes, sir."
"And John—where is my sister?"
"Miss Van Hoosen is out, sir," replied the servant.
Alfred put his arm in that of Jack and drew him out of the room.
"Come," he said, "I will walk with you to your hotel. I want to talk to you on the way."
They passed down-stairs and out into the street, Jack's only consolation for the news he had just heard, being the knowledge that the brother of the girl he loved was his friend.
As they walked along, Alfred said: "I did not finish asking you all the questions I wanted to. What brought you and your friends over here?"