Finding that the door was not immediately opened he rang again, and then a third time, leaving less than half a minute between the peals.

Then a maid, breathless, and in a very bad temper, opened the door and asked him what he wanted.
"I must see Miss King at once," said Meldon, "on most important business." "Miss King is out, sir," said the maid.
"Where is she?
When did she go out?
When will she be home ?" The servant could have answered two of the three questions without difficulty.

She knew when Miss King went out.

She also knew where she had gone to.

She could have guessed at the hour of her return; but seeing that Meldon appeared to be in a hurry she took her revenge for the violent ringing of the bell which had disturbed her.
"I'll go and enquire, sir," she said.
She spent nearly ten minutes making enquiries.