"Where is your mistress gone?"
"Missus went out at half-past eight, and said as 'ow I must wake you up and have the breakfast ready by ten o'clock."
There was no mistaking this order, so I hurried up, a little ashamed at having slept so long.
No sooner was I dressed, than there was a ring at the front doorbell, and in stepped Monk with a very serious face.
He was not one of those who are much affected by one or even two nights of sleeplessness, but to-day he looked unusually tired and weary.
"I'm afraid you haven't had a good night. It was dreadfully late when we left you; we shouldn't have kept you up so long!"
"It was rather I who kept both of you up so late. But where is your wife gone?"
"Clara went out at half-past eight, the girl says; but she is sure to be home soon. Why do you ask?"
"She telephoned to me a quarter of an hour ago. She told me to come here at once, as she had something of importance to tell me."
"She must have telephoned from some place in town," I answered, somewhat surprised.