This was a matter with which he was in no way concerned, and the only interest he felt was strictly impersonal.

His eyes followed the two as they advanced up the board walk to the front door of the cottage, and he felt a measure of surprise at seeing Coolidge calmly open the door without knocking.

Both disappeared amidst the darkness within, and he dismissed the whole affair from his mind almost instantly.

Sinking comfortably back in the seat, his gaze centred on the maze of children playing in the street.

Their antics amused him for some time, but, at last, he began wondering at the delay of those within, and his mind drifted to the peculiar conditions with which he was confronted.