And the next day brought Franks' telegraphic reply.

"Nothing definite yet.

Shall come to see you late one of these evenings.

I have not been to Walham Green." Though he had all but persuaded himself that he cared not at all, one way or the other, this message did Warburton good.

Midway in the week, business being slack, he granted himself a half holiday, and went to Ashtead, merely in friendliness to Ralph Pomfret--so he said to himself.
From Ashtead station to the Pomfrets' house was a good twenty minutes' walk.