And next morning he attired himself with particular care, and in the hip pocket of his trousers he placed a revolver which he had recently purchased, and for the first time for a fortnight he ate his usual hearty breakfast.

After which he got into his most serviceable overcoat and went away townwards ...

and if anybody had been watching him they would have seen that Mallalieu never once turned his head to take a look at the house which he had built, and might be leaving for ever.
Everything that Mallalieu did that morning was done with method.

He was in and about his office and his yard for an hour or two, attending to business in his customary fashion.

He saw Cotherstone, and did not speak to him except on absolutely necessary matters.