“You can go,” he said. “There is no reply.”
The man bowed and retired. De Grost called for his bill.
“Is it anything serious?” Violet inquired.
“No, not exactly serious,” he answered. “I do not understand what has happened, but they have sent for me to go—well, where it was agreed that I should not go except as a matter of urgent necessity.”
Violet knew better than to show any signs of disquietude.
“It is in London?” she asked.
“Certainly,” her husband replied. “I shall take a taxicab from here. I am sorry, dear, to have one of our evenings disturbed in this manner. I have always done my best to avoid it, but this summons is urgent.”
She rose and he wrapped her cloak around her.
“You will drive straight home, won’t you?” he begged. “I dare say that I may be back within an hour myself.”
“And if not?” she asked, in a low tone.