My visit to you is simply a matter of charity. If my
aid is unneeded, so much the better. All the same, I should like to
know where she is going and who her friends are."
"I do not find myself at liberty to afford you any information," was
the curt reply.
Thereupon there was nothing left for Aynesworth to do but to put on
his hat and walk out, which he did.
Wingrave met him in the hall on his return.
"Where have you been?" he asked a little sharply.
"On a private errand," Aynesworth answered, irritated by his words and
look.
"You are my secretary," Wingrave said coldly. "I do not pay you to go
about executing private errands."
Aynesworth looked at him in surprise. Did he really wish to quarrel?
"I imagine, sir," he said, "that my time is my own when I have no work
of yours on hand. If you think otherwise--"
He paused and looked at his employer significantly. Wingrave turned on
his heel.
"Be so kind," he said, "as to settle the bill here tonight. We leave
by the seven o'clock train in the morning."
"Tomorrow!" Aynesworth exclaimed.
"Precisely!"
"Do you mind," he asked, "if I follow by a later train?"
"I do," Wingrave answered. "I need you in London directly we arrive."
"I am afraid," Aynesworth said, after a moment's reflection, "that it
is impossible for me to leave."
"Why?"
"You will think it a small thing," he said, "but I have given my
promise. I must see that child again before I go!"
"You are referring," he asked, "to the black-frocked little creature
we saw about the place yesterday?"
"Yes!"
Wingrave regarded his secretary as one might look at a person who has
suddenly taken leave of his senses.
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