John Kendal had turned the key upon his dusty work-room in Bryanston Street among the first of those who, according to the papers, depopulated London in July.

He had an old engagement to keep, which took him, with Carew of the _Dial_ and Limley of the Civil Service, to explore and fish in the Norwegian fjords.

The project matured suddenly, and he left town without seeing anybody--a necessity which disturbed him a number of times on the voyage.

He wrote a hasty line to Janet, returning a borrowed book, and sent a trivial message to Elfrida, whom he knew to be spending a few days in Kensington Square at the time.
Janet delivered it with an intensity of quiet pleasure which she showed extraordinary skill in concealing.

"May I ask you to say to Miss Bell--" seemed to her to be eloquent of many things.