As he waited in unconcealed impatience for an answer to his summons, he caught sight of his man Allsopp at the head of the stairs.
“Come here!” he called, pleased to find some one upon whom to vent his irritation. “Has that wire come for me?”
“No, sir. I inquired five minutes back.”
“Inquire again.”
“Yes, sir.” Allsopp disappeared.
A second after his disappearance the bell of the hall door whizzed loudly.
Chileote started. All sudden sounds, like all strong lights, affected him. He half moved to the door, then stopped himself with a short exclamation. At the same instant Allsopp reappeared.
Chilcote turned on him excitedly.
“What the devil's the meaning of this?” he said. “A battery of servants in the house and nobody to open the hall door!”
Allsopp looked embarrassed. “Crapham is coming directly, sir. He only left the hall to ask Jeffries—”