That evening when John Ardayre arrived he paced up and down it for half an hour. He was very pale and lines of thought were stamped upon his brow.
He had come to a decision; there only remained the details of a course of action to be arranged.
He went to the telephone and called up the Cavalry Club. Yes, Captain
Ardayre was in, and presently Denzil's voice said surprisedly:
"Hullo!"
"I heard by chance that you were in town. I suppose your regiment will be going out at once. It is your cousin, John Ardayre, speaking, we have not met since you were a boy. I have something rather vital I want to say to you. Could you possibly come round?"
The two voices were so alike in tone it was quite remarkable, each was aware of it as he listened to the other.
"Where are you, and what is the time?".
"I am in our house in Brook Street, number 102, and it is nearly seven.
Could you manage to come now?"
There was a second or two's pause, then Denzil said:
"All right. I will get into a taxi and be with you in about five minutes," and he put the receiver down.