"Diadem Theater Royal. Notice. In consequence of serious indisposition, Miss Finetta will not play this evening."
With an exclamation which is very near an oath, he flings the paper from him and walks on, and as he goes round the base of the tower he is almost run into by one of the gentlemen whom Leslie saw with the dark young lady of the song.
They both stop short and start, then the new-comer exclaims, with a laugh:
"Hello, Auchester! Well, I'm——."
"Hush! Be quiet!" says Yorke, almost sternly, and with an upward glance.
"Eh?" says the other, "what's the matter? Who the duse would have expected to see you here?"
"I might say the same," retorts Yorke, with about as mirthless a smile as it is possible to imagine.
"How did you come here?"
"Why, by boat," responds the other. "Didn't I tell you so? What have you done with my nags?"
"They are all right," says Yorke. "Come this way, will you? Keep close to the tower, if you don't mind."