Yes--to Penzance from Paddington.
He decided to catch it.
His preparations for departure were quickly made.

The writing of a note to his clerk and the packing of a bag were matters soon accomplished.

In a quarter of an hour he had picked up a taxicab at the Holborn stand near his chambers and was on his way to the station.
There was plenty of light and stir at Paddington, which appeared like a great and glowing cavern in the cold darkness of the night.

There were engines shunting, cabs arriving, porters and passengers rushing about with luggage, throngs of people.

It happened that the midnight train from Cornwall was overdue, and fluttered women waiting for friends were importuning bored officials about the delay.