"No—I say—half a minute. Vicary! Is my tie straight? I ought to have changed my collar. Hang it—all right, I'm coming. Wait for us, cabby—we shan't be five minutes. Vicary, don't ring. I—I don't think I'll call to-day, after all—it's a bit late, don't you think? You have rung? Dash it! I—I—let me ask." The door was opened. "Is Mr. Rivers in? No? Oh, thank you. It don't matter—I'll call again. Good——"
"'SAY LIEUTENANT BEVERLEY WARRINGTON WISHES TO SEE HER ON MOST IMPORTANT BUSINESS.'"
Vicary caught him as he turned and held him fast.
"Is Miss Rivers in?" he asked.
"Yessir," said the man, who knew him well.
"Say Lieutenant Beverley Warrington wishes to see her for a few moments on most important—come here, you old idiot—on most important business."
Inside the house Warrington mopped his face and rehearsed speeches in a low monotone until the man reappeared.
"Will you walk up, sir, please?"