"Encumbered largely through your extravagance?" added Shagarach.
"Through my extravagance. I was on pins and needles, too nervous to sleep, to eat—the servants can corroborate that—until this should be settled; too nervous even to await my mother's return."
"She had driven in to meet Mr. Hodgkins?"
"She had. It must have been nearly 3:25 when I arrived and the appointment of Hodgkins was at 2:30."
"You took the Southern line?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I heard the train coming. I acted on the impulse, flung out of the house and headed it off."
"Go on."
"I walked toward my uncle's up Broad street, entered the passageway, mounted the steps and found the side door open."