I obeyed, feeling that, after all, as far as I was concerned, the storm had blown over.
Doubleday went to Hawkesbury’s glass box and opened the door. “You’re wanted, Hawkes— Hullo!”
This exclamation was caused by the discovery that Hawkesbury was not there!
“Where’s Hawkesbury?” he inquired of the office generally.
“He’s not come back,” said Crow.
“When did he go out?”
“Why, the usual time, to be sure.”
Doubleday gave a low whistle, and exclaimed, “Bolted!” And so it was. That afternoon Hawkesbury did not appear again at Hawk Street, or the next day, or the next week, or the next month. And when inquiry was made at the rectory, all that could be ascertained was that he had left home, and that not even his father knew where he had gone.