"Suzanne," said Valentine suddenly. "Do you mind going outside and waiting in the cab. I cannot bear anyone to stare at me just now."
Suzanne obeyed. She was not offended. She was too deeply interested and sympathetic.
The slow minutes passed. Nine o'clock sounded from a great church near, and then more gently from the office clock. At three minutes past nine a bilious-looking clerk came in and took his place at one of the desks. He started when he saw Valentine, opened a ledger, and pretended to be very busy.
"Can you tell me, at once, please, from which dock the Esperance sails?" asked Mrs. Wyndham.
Her voice was impressive, and sharp with pain and waiting. The clerk thought he might at least stare at her. Things were slow and dull at this hour of the morning, and she was a novelty. He could have given the information at once, but it suited him best to dawdle over it. Valentine could have stamped with her increasing impatience.
The clerk, turning the leaves of a big book slowly, at last put his finger on an entry.
"Esperance sails for Sydney 25th inst., noon. Albert and Victoria Docks."
"Thank you, thank you," said Valentine. "Are these docks far away?"
"Three miles off, madam."
"Thank you."