Of O'Rane's future movements Summertown could tell us nothing beyond the fact that he was shortly starting for Mexico, and that letters to his bank would, in due course, be forwarded.
"I shall write to him to-night," said Loring, as we walked up St. James's Street. Summertown had heard that roulette was being played illicitly somewhere in Chelsea and was anxious to check the accuracy of the report.
"At this hour?" I asked, glancing at my watch. It was past one o'clock.
"I can do it in three lines," he answered. "It's about his friend Crabtree. Have you heard?"
"I can believe anything of him," I said, as I resigned myself to listen.
"Then you haven't heard. Well, the engagement's off. I met your cousin Violet at lunch to-day, and she had it from Lady Dainton. No reason given."
"Either of us can supply it," I said.
Loring made no comment.
"Sonia can do better than that," he said, after we had walked for some time in silence.
"So, possibly, can Crabtree," I suggested. "In her present state——"