“We have been looking for you,” he added, glancing at the constable, as if to direct my attention to him.
“You have been lucky enough to find me, sir. I wish to say, sir, that the car starts for Middleport at half-past twelve, and therefore I have only ten minutes to spare,” I replied, consulting Higgins’s gold watch, the appearance of which, I think, produced a sensation in the minds of my visitors.
“Humph! I think you will wait my pleasure.”
“That will depend somewhat upon the length of time your pleasure demands my presence. Will you please to tell me what you want of me?”
“Where is your father, Wolf?”
“At Middleport, sir.”
“What is he doing there?”
“He is at work, sir.”
Colonel Wimpleton looked as though he wanted to swear; for I am sorry to say this influential man sometimes indulged in the wicked habit of using profane language. It did not seem quite proper that the menial, whom he had discharged as a punishment, should find work so soon.
“What is he doing?” demanded the magnate of Centreport, biting his lips to conceal his vexation.