"Bassett!" he said, sharply.
"Sir?" said the other.. "Didn't you," said Mr. Vyner, with a fine and growing note of indignation in his voice—"didn't you tell Mr. Hartley that Miss Hartley was here waiting for him?"
"No, sir," said Bassett, gazing at certain mysterious workings of the junior partner's face with undisguised amazement. "I—"
"Do you mean to tell me," demanded Mr. Vyner, looking at him with great significance, "that you forgot?"
"No, sir," said Bassett; "I didn't—"
"That will do," broke in Mr. Vyner, imperiously. "That will do. You can go."
"But," said the amazed youth, "how could I tell—"
"That—will—do," said Mr. Vyner, very distinctly.
"I don't want any excuses. You can go at once. And the next time you are told to deliver a message, please don't forget. Now go."
With a fine show of indignation he thrust the gasping Bassett from the room.