"Have you seen him lately?" asked Malling.
"Not quite recently. But if I had seen him, say, yesterday, I don't think that would greatly affect my present dubiety. I should, however, like to set that dubiety at rest. Are you busy to-day?"
"No."
"I am. Will you make a little investigation for me? Will you go and pay a visit of condolence to Chichester on the death of his rector, and then come round to the White House and report?"
"I will if you wish it."
"I shall be in after seven."
"Very well."
"I dare say you will be surprised," observed Stepton. "I see my bus."
Malling left him imperatively waving his arm, and, turning, walked toward
Kensington.
What were his expectations? He did not know. Stepton had upset his mind. As he went on slowly he strove to regain his mental equilibrium. But he could not decide exactly what Stepton had meant. He felt inferior to the professor as he turned into Hornton Street.