“Why, Gerald, wherever have you been? A telegram came for you by special messenger from Fakenham at half-past six, and when Ann knocked at your door she found you were out. And you went out by the dining-room window, too.”
“Yes,” I said, not without a touch of sarcasm, “I felt that I wanted fresh air, so I went for a stroll.”
“You are an early bird,” she answered. “Did you go far?”
“No, not very far. Only down the Lynn road a little way.”
“I always thought that you people in Paris never got up till your déjeuner at eleven?”
“I’m an exception,” I said shortly. “I prefer the morning air in the country to lying in bed.”
“And the telegram? Is it anything particular?”
“Yes,” I answered. “I must leave at once. I am summoned to Downing Street, and must leave London this afternoon.”
“What! return to Paris at once?”
“Yes,” I replied. “It is an order from the Chief. There’s a train to London at 9:50, I think. I must not fail to catch that.”