"Both out at the theatre. They're not likely to be back until half-past five."
"Sounds as if you'd made a pretty tidy job of it," was Marsden's comment. "You'd better come back here as quickly as possible and pick me up in the car. If what he's told you is right, the sooner we have a look at this cottage the better."
"We're starting now," replied Colin. "We'll be with you in a quarter of an hour."
He rang off, and, picking up his hat from the chair, turned to Medwin.
"This is your last chance," he said. "You know what to expect if you've sent me on a false errand."
"You can make your mind quite easy," returned the other. "You'll find Miss Seymour at the cottage, and I have no doubt she will be delighted to see you. You're exactly the sort of primitive young savage that appeals to women."
Joe stepped forward pleadingly. "Let me give 'im one, doctor—only just one. That'll learn 'im to call you names."
"No," said Colin. "Leave him alone. He'll have all he deserves by the time we've finished with him."
He walked toward the door, and, with one reluctant glance at the smiling and half-prostrate figure on the sofa, Joe followed him out into the hall.
* * * * * * * * *