"Has Lord Hartledon come in ?" he asked, when the butler appeared.
"No, sir." "And dinner's spoiling, isn't it, Hedges ?" broke in the dowager.
"It won't be any the better for waiting, my lady." "No.

I must exercise my privilege and order it served.

At once, Hedges, do you hear?
If Hartledon grumbles, I shall tell him it serves him right." "But where can Hartledon be ?" cried Captain Dawkes.
"That's what I am wondering," said Val.

"He can't be on the river all this time; Carteret would have seen him in coming home." A strangely grave shade, looking almost like a prevision of evil, arose to Dr.Ashton's face.

"I trust nothing has happened to him," he exclaimed.