"You are Beaupré's fidus achates, Townsend. When did you see him last?"
Mr. Townsend had evidently shown an indifference to the fact of Lord Archibald Beaupré's non-arrival which evidently in his case was not assumed. He looked at Mr. Pendarvon a moment before he answered, and when he did answer his manner, although completely courteous, was hardly genial.
"For information of Lord Archibald Beaupré I must refer you--to Lord Archibald Beaupré."
Mr. Pendarvon seemed to relish neither the look with which he had been favoured nor the answer. Indeed, Mr. Townsend's manner, even more than his answer, seemed to increase the general feeling of uneasiness which was beginning to dominate the room.
Suddenly there was the sound of a click. With a rapidity which, in its way, was comic, all eyes were fixed upon the dial-plate. Its mechanism had been set in motion. The familiar movements followed.
"There he is!" exclaimed a voice.
Mr. Silvester added, with a show of hilarity which was slightly forced, "Better late than never!"
Mr. Pendarvon sounded the gong, seemingly in a state of fevered agitation.
"Stephen!" exclaimed a voice.
A blank look came on some of the faces.