When he arrived there, he was
informed that his lordship was not at home. He pressed his inquiries; he
said his business was of the utmost importance; and at last he elicited,
after considerable waiting, that, though no one in the house could say
whither Lord Rockminster had gone, it was understood that he was dining
at the Universities Club that evening. With this information Mangan
returned to Piccadilly. He found the nurse already arrived and
installed. He pacified Lionel with the news; for, if he went along to
the Universities Club at half-past eight, he must surely be able to
place the money in Lord Rockminster's own hands.
"Maurice, you're awfully kind," his friend murmured. "And you've had
nothing to eat all day. Tell Mrs. Jenkins to get you something--"
"Oh, that's all right," Mangan said, carelessly. "I'll just scribble a
line to Francie, to tell her what the doctors have said; and I'll take
that down to the post myself. Then I'll get something to eat and come
back here; and at half-past eight I'm going along to Pall Mall, where
I'm certain to catch Lord Rockminster--so that it's all quite right and
straight, you see."
But, as it chanced, when he went along to the Universities that evening,
he found he had missed his man--by only a minute or two.
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