In a maze of wild fancies I heard the street door close behind him.
I picked up the telephone book and looked up the number of his house.
We were connected at once, and I heard a servant's voice.
'Is his Lordship at home ?' I asked.
'His Lordship returned half an hour ago,' said the voice, 'and has gone to bed.

He is not very well tonight.

Will you leave a message, Sir ?' I rang off and almost tumbled into a chair.

My part in this business was not yet ended.

It had been a close shave, but I had been in time.
Not a moment could be lost, so I marched boldly to the door of that back room and entered without knocking.
Five surprised faces looked up from a round table.