"The doctor's just gone out, sir. He will be home at five."
It was a sort of checkmate, and Lionel stood looking at the servant—as if the man could telegraph some impossible aerial message to his master to bring him back then.
"Is Captain Cannonby staying here?" was his next question.
"No, sir. He was staying here, but he went away this morning."
"He is home from Paris then?"
"He came back two or three days ago, sir," replied the servant.
"Do you know where he is gone?"
"I don't, sir. I fancy it's somewhere in the country."
"Dr. Cannonby would know?"
"I dare say he would, sir. I should think so."