I hope you've got some good excuse or there'll be the dickens to pay." The door of the inner office was suddenly opened.

Mr.Weatherley appeared upon the threshold.

He recognized Arnold with an expression partly of anger, partly of relief.
"So here you are at last, young man!" he exclaimed.

"Where the dickens have you been to all this while?
Come in--come in at once! Do you see the time ?" "I am very sorry indeed, sir," Arnold replied.

"I can assure you that I have not wasted a moment that I know of." "Then what in the name of goodness did you find to keep you occupied all this time ?" Mr.Weatherley demanded, pushing him through into the office and closing the door behind them.