Meldon, although he still kept Doyle's bicycle, did not arrive at Portsmouth Lodge until after eight o'clock.

Major Kent had waited dinner for him, and was therefore, as even the best men are under such circumstances, in a very bad temper.

When Meldon walked into the study he was sitting with _The Times_ spread out on his knee.
"I have had," said Meldon, "a long and particularly exhausting kind of day.

I didn't get much lunch with the judge at Donard, and although I had a cup of tea with Sabina Gallagher at the hotel, I had so much to say to her that I didn't eat much.

I hope dinner's ready." "Dinner," growled the Major, "has been ready for more than an hour." "Good," said Meldon.