"Hello, that's funny," he thought, and, ringing, asked of the maid, "Did Mrs. Lightbody go out?"
"About an hour ago, sir."
"That's odd. Did she leave any message?"
"No, sir."
"That's not like her. I wonder what's happened."
At this moment his eye fell on an open hat-box of mammoth proportions, overshadowing a thin table in the living-room.
"When did that come?"
"About four o'clock, sir."
He went in, peeping into the empty box with a smile of satisfaction and understanding.
"That's it, she's rushed off to show it to some one," he said, with a half vindictive look toward the box. "Well, it cost $175, and I don't get my winter suit; but I get a little peace."