Sir Edward stopped dead, his hand on the latch of the door.
“What’s that?” he said sharply. “Strickland v. Davies postponed?”
“Yes, Sir Edward. We understood that you were leaving the North this morning and that a letter would reach you if it was posted yesterday afternoon. Had we known . . .”
His voice trailed off into silence. In all the years he had worked for Kean he had never seen him look so angry.
“Knowing you were coming up, in any case, for the other consultation,” he began again.
“My instructions were that I was to be notified immediately.” Kean’s voice was icy.
“I wrote, Sir Edward.”
“And gave me a night’s journey for nothing! Always telegraph if there is any doubt as to my movements. You knew I was coming up to-day.”
“Yes, Sir Edward.”
“In the future I should be grateful if you would obey my instructions. I suppose the witnesses have been notified?”