"Mrs. Paxton left a number, sir. If you give them a call it will be taken to her."
Theydon shook his head good-humoredly but obeyed. A voice at the other end answered:
"Will you oblige me by telling Mrs. Paxton that I took an American friend to Eastbourne this afternoon and returned by a late trains," he said.
"Who is it, please?"
"Mr. Theydon, Mrs. Paxton's brother."
"O, I have a message for you. Miss Beale is staying with Mrs. Paxton tonight. There was a Chinaman in her hotel, and she didn't like it."
Theydon controlled his feelings sufficiently to thank his informant. He really wanted to say something crude.
"Gad!" he muttered, when he had rung off, "these women have Chinamen on the brain. Look here Bates," he added emphatically, "I hope you won't lend an ear to this nonsense. You've seen no Chinamen, I supposed?"
"No, sir."
"If you do see one, tell me, and I'll get to know his business, pretty quick."