Not even the half-drunken Timmons could be allowed to suspect the real depth of his interest in this affair.
Fortunately, it was so late in the morning he was left undisturbed at a side table, screened from the open door leading into the office.
Sadie, the waitress, took his order and immediately disappeared, leaving him to his own thoughts.

These were far from happy ones, as his mind rapidly reviewed the situation and endeavoured to concentrate upon some practical plan of action.
So Bill Lacy expected him?
Had left word where he was to be found?
What was the probable meaning of this?
Westcott did not connect this message directly with the strange disappearance of Miss Donovan.
Whether or not Lacy was concerned in that outrage had nothing to do with this, for the man could scarcely be aware of his deep interest in the girl.

No, this must be his own personal affair, complicated by the case of Cavendish.

Moore must have recognised him during their fight, and reported to his master who it was that had been discovered listening at the window.

Realising the nature of that conversation, Lacy naturally anticipated being sought the very moment Westcott came to town.