But in this he was agreeably disappointed.
At seven o'clock the landlord drove round, and Bowman sprang into the buggy.
"Sorry to leave you, Fred," he said, "but we are going to Vaudry on a little business. Hope you won't be lonely."
"Never mind me, Mr. Bowman. I think I will go over to see Mr. Sinclair. He will probably expect me. Have you any message?"
Bowman looked significantly at the landlord.
"Tell him I will call to-morrow or next day," he said. "At present I am very busy."
The two drove away, leaving Fred and a stable boy named Jack looking after them.
"He's going to skip to-morrow," said Jack confidentially.
"Who?"
"Mr. Bowman."