He's a model of system, regularity, punctuality, and all the rest of it.

In the ordinary course of events, wherever he spent yesterday, he'd have been sure to turn up at his rooms at the 'Angel' hotel last night, and he'd have walked in here this morning at half-past twelve.

As he hasn't done either, why, then, something unusual has happened.

Stafford, you'd better get a move on." "Wait a minute," said Stafford.

He turned again to the groups behind him, repeating his question.
"Has anybody anything to tell ?" he asked anxiously.