CHAPTER II.
GREY ROCK AND GREY SEA The three men stood for a while silently looking at each other.
Copplestone, as a stranger, secretly wondered why the two managers seemed so concerned; to him a delay of half an hour in keeping an appointment did not appear to be quite as serious as they evidently considered it.
But he had never met Bassett Oliver, and knew nothing of his ways; he only began to comprehend matters when Rothwell turned to Stafford with an air of decision.
"Look here!" he said.

"You'd better go and make inquiry at Northborough.
See if you can track him.

Something must be wrong--perhaps seriously wrong.

You don't quite understand, do you, Mr.Copplestone ?" he went on, giving the younger man a sharp glance.

"You see, we know Mr.Oliver so well--we've both been with him a good many years.