Thus, as he dressed, the thoughts and the rage of yesterday began to stir and move in his mind again.  His hate and his desire that justice should be done, that satisfaction should be granted him, was still in his heart.  But now they were not wild and flashing flames; they burned with a hard, cold, even light.  They were already part of himself, integral pieces and features of his soul.  And the calm beauty and peace of the morning ceased to touch him, he had a stern piece of business to put through before he could think of anything else.

* * * * *

It was not yet six when he arrived at the house in which was Mills’s flat.  A few housemaids were about, but the lift was not yet working, and he ran upstairs and rang at the bell.  It was answered almost immediately, for Mills’s servant supposed it must be his master arriving at this early hour, since no one else would come then, and he opened the door, half dressed, with coat and trousers only put over his night things.

“Is Mr. Mills back yet?” asked Morris.

“No, sir.”

Morris turned to go, but then stopped, his mind still half-suspicious that he had been warned by his partner, and was lying perdu.

“I’ll give you another ten shillings,” he said, “if you’ll let me come in and satisfy myself.”

The man hesitated.

“A sovereign,” said Morris.

* * * * *

He went back to Sussex Square after this, roused Martin, ordering him to bring the motor round at once, and drank a cup of tea, for he would breakfast in town.  His mother he expected would be back during the morning, and at the thought of her he remembered that this was June 24th, her birthday, and that his present to her would be arriving by the early post.  He gave orders, therefore, that a packet for him from Asprey’s was not to be unpacked, but given to her on her arrival with her letters.  A quarter of an hour later he was off, leaving Martin behind, since there were various businesses in the town which he wanted him to attend to.

Mr. Taynton, though an earlier riser than his partner, considered that half past nine was soon enough to begin the day, and punctually at that time he came downstairs to read, as his custom was, a few collects and some short piece of the Bible to his servants, before having his breakfast.  That little ceremony over he walked for a few minutes in his garden while Williams brought in his toast and tea-urn, and observed that though the flowers would no doubt be all the better for the liberal watering of the day before, it was idle to deny that the rain had not considerably damaged them.  But his attention was turned from these things to Williams who told him that breakfast was ready, and also brought him a telegram.  It was from Morris, and had been sent off from the Sloane Square office an hour before.

“Mills is not in town; they say he left yesterday afternoon.  Please inform me if you know whether this is so, or if you are keeping him from me.  Am delayed by break-down.  Shall be back about five.—­Morris, Bachelors’ Club.”