"Markham is at the station-house in —— street."
"The deuce he is! and for what?"
"I cannot learn. Do you not think it is odd that he did not send for either of us?"
"Yes. We will return to town this moment," said the baronet, "and send some one unknown to him to hear the case at the police-office. We shall then learn whether anything concerning the notes transpires, and what to say to him when we see him."
"Yes: there is not a moment to lose," returned Chichester.
The cabriolet was brought round to the door again in a few minutes, during which interval Chichester assured Whittingham that he had learned nothing concerning his master, and that he and the baronet were only returning to town for the purpose of looking after him.
As soon as the vehicle was out of sight, Mr. Whittingham returned in a disconsolate manner to his pantry, where Mr. Snoggles was occupied with a cold pasty and a jug of good old ale.
"Well, I've learnt someot to-day, I have," observed Snoggles, who could not keep a secret for the life of him.
"What's that?" demanded Whittingham.
"Why that Winchester is Chichester, and Chichester is Winchester."