"I don't think so, sir; he went off on some business or other. Mudd has gone with him."
"Oh, dear!" said Tidd.
"They stopped at the Charing Cross Hotel," said Mrs. Jukes, "and then I had a message they were going into the country. It was from Mr. Mudd, and he said they might be a month away."
"A month away!" said Tidd, his voice strangely calm.
"Yes, sir."
"Good gracious!" said Brownlow. Then to Tidd, "You see how I am placed?"
"A month away," said Tidd; he seemed unable to get over that obstacle of thought.
"Yes, sir," said Mrs. Jukes.
They got into the taxi and went to the Charing Cross Hotel, where they were informed that Mr. Pettigrew was gone and had left no address.
Then suddenly an idea came to Brownlow—Oppenshaw. The doctor might know; failing the doctor, they were done.