Then he pushed the
paper aside with a contemptuous movement and drank his coffee.
His servant, appearing in answer to the bell a few minutes later, looked
at him with furtive curiosity. He had already seen the announcement,
being in the habit of studying society items before placing the paper
on the breakfast-table. But Merrivale's clean-shaven face was free from
perturbation, and the man was puzzled.
"Reynolds," Merrivale said, "I shall go out of town this afternoon. Have
the motor ready at four!"
"Very good, my lord." Reynolds glanced at the table and noted with some
satisfaction that his master had only eaten one egg.
"Yes, I have finished," Merrivale said, taking up the paper. "If Mr.
Culver calls, ask him to be good enough to wait for me. And--that's all,"
he ended abruptly as he reached the door.
"As cool as a cucumber!" murmured Reynolds, as he began to clear the
table. "I shouldn't wonder but what he stuck the notice in hisself."
Merrivale, still with the morning paper in his hand, strolled easily down
to his club and collected a few letters. He then sauntered into the
smoking-room, where a knot of men, busily conversing in undertones, gave
him awkward greeting.
Merrivale lighted a cigar and sat down deliberately to study his paper.
Nearly an hour later he rose, nodded to several members, who glanced up
at him expectantly, and serenely took his departure.
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