The habitual smile had returned to his face when Philip entered the room.
‘I shall not keep you many minutes to-day, Mr Wrentham. But I suppose you will have to give me an hour or so on the earliest date you can appoint.’
‘It will be a pleasure to me whatever it may be to you. I suppose it is business. I shall make it as easy for you as I can. What is it?’
‘I have just got this from Hawkins and Jackson, which, they tell me, my uncle inclosed to them with instructions that they were to see that I gave personal attention to the matter.’
Wrentham read the note, placed it in a clip bearing the word ‘Immediate’ in large capitals, and looked up again.
‘Your uncle might have sent this to me direct—I should have liked it better; but he has a curious way of doing things. You are to have a full statement of my accounts with him, and it is to be duly audited by a professional accountant. This looks as if he intended to close the account altogether.’
‘I hope not.’
‘Well, the statement will be ready for you on Wednesday next week, and you shall have every assistance and explanation you may require from me.’
‘Thank you. At what hour shall I call?’
‘Ten o’clock. I expect you will have a long day of it.’