‘He’s not down yet, Mr Innes. Will you come in?’
The valet answered her question with another.
‘Sir William didn’t call last night, I suppose?’
‘Sir William? No, Mr Innes, I haven’t seen Sir William for over a month.’
‘Well, I’ll come in, thank you, and when Mr Austin’s ready I’d like to see him.’
‘I’ll tell him you’re waiting.’
When some twenty minutes later Austin Ponson came into the room, Innes looked at him in some surprise. As a rule Austin was a man of easy and leisurely manners, suave, polished, and unhurried. He had an air of comfortable and good-humoured contentment, that made him a pleasant and soothing companion. But this morning he was strangely different. His face was pale, and dark circles below his eyes pointed to his having passed a sleepless night. His manner was nervous, and Innes noticed his hand shaking. When he spoke it was abruptly and as if he were upset.
‘Good morning, Innes. You wanted to see me?’
‘Sorry for troubling you so early, sir, but Mr Parkes sent me in with a message.’
‘Yes?’