“Certainly. Your lordship can have them whenever you please. They are in your case, in the strong-room.”
“I should have liked them to-day, if possible,” replied Lord Averil.
“There will be no difficulty at all, my lord. Mr. George Godolphin can deliver them to you as soon as he comes in.”
“Will he be in soon, think you?”
“He is sure not to be very long, my lord. I have to see him before I leave.”
“Then I think I’ll wait,” said Lord Averil.
He was shown into the Bank parlour, and left there. At five the clerks quitted the Bank: it was usual for them to do so. Mr. Hurde waited. In about a quarter of an hour George entered.
A few minutes given to the business for which Mr. Hurde had remained, and then he spoke. “Lord Averil is waiting to see you, sir.”
“Lord Averil?” cried George, in a hasty tone. “Waiting now?”
“He is in the parlour, sir. He asked if he could have his bonds given up to him. I said I thought he could, and he replied that he would wait.”