Half an hour later, when Kendal, who knew Rattray fairly well, called and asked him for Miss Bell's present address, he got it with some reluctance and fewer details.
Cardiff drove to his club, and wrote a note to Janet, asking her to send his portmanteau to the 3.45 train at Euston, as he intended to run down to Cheynemouth and might stay over night He fastened up the envelope, then after a moment's hesitation tore it open and added, "Miss Bell is attempting a preposterous thing.

I am going to see if it cannot be prevented." He fancied Janet would understand his not caring to go into particulars in the meantime.

It was because of his aversion to going into particulars that he sent the note and lunched at the club, instead of driving home as he had abundance of time to do.

Janet would have to be content with that; it would be bad enough to have to explain Rattray's intolerable "scheme" to her when it had been frustrated.

After luncheon he went into the smoking-room and read through three leading articles with an occasional inkling of their meaning.