"Very well," growled the other, handing it over. "Take care of it. You ought to be back in an hour. You'll find me here."
"Right you are!" said Marvel, and went jauntily from the room.
Bullard sank back in his chair. "The blind fool!" he murmured, and grinned.
An hour later he was dining in the Savoy restaurant.
About ten o'clock he was shown into Lancaster's library. He was in evening dress. He carried a suit case bearing, in the midst of many old labels, his own initials. The moment the door was shut he said—
"Where's Mrs. Lancaster? Didn't she get my note?"
Lancaster, his weary eyes blinking in the sudden rousing from a troubled nap, replied: "Yes, it caught her as she was about to leave the house with Doris. Is anything the matter?"
"Did Doris go alone?"
"Yes, but—"
"I wish you would tell Mrs. Lancaster—"