“Thank you, no,” he answered. “I’ve an engagement with Mr Lawless at his hotel.”
Mrs Lawless started.
“He hasn’t come, sir,” she heard Tom Hayhurst saying. And then, in reply to an inaudible question: “I met the train. He wasn’t there. Van Bleit came by it.”
There was a muttered exclamation from the Colonel, and Hayhurst added:
“Yes! I don’t like the look of it myself.”
“Well, tell me presently.”
The words were spoken as a caution. Mrs Lawless leaned forward over the door, the light of the street lamp shining on her white face.
“Tell him now,” she said in a low voice. “I want to hear.”
Hayhurst stared back at her.
“There’s nothing to tell,” he stammered. “We expected Lawless by the train this evening... He didn’t come. That’s all.”