"No sign of him at present," Arnold answered.
There was a short silence. Then Mrs. Weatherley spoke again.
"He left here," she said, "absurdly early—soon after seven, I think it was—to motor up."
"Has the car returned?" Arnold asked.
"More than an hour ago," was the prompt reply.
"I can assure you that he has not been here," Arnold declared. "You're speaking from Bourne End, I suppose?"
"Yes!"
"Will you please ask the chauffeur," Arnold suggested, "where he left Mr. Weatherley?"
"Of course I will," she replied. "That is very sensible. You must hold the line until I come back."
Arnold withdrew the receiver for a few minutes from his ear. Mr. Jarvis had been listening to the conversation, his mouth open with curiosity.