Mr. Jarvis took the hint and went off to his work.  A moment or two later, Mr. Weatherley arrived.  He passed through the office and bestowed upon every one his customary salutation.  At Arnold’s desk he paused for a moment.

“Feeling all right this morning, young man?” he inquired, striving after a note of patronage which somehow or other eluded him.

“Quite well, thank you, sir.”

“You found the evening pleasant, I hope?  Didn’t lose any money at bridge, eh?”

“Mrs. Weatherley was good enough to take on the stakes, sir,” Arnold replied.  “As a matter of fact, I believe that we won.  I enjoyed the evening very much, thank you.”

Mr. Weatherley passed on to his office.  Jarvis waited until his door was closed.

“So you played bridge with Mrs. Weatherley, eh?” he remarked.

“I did,” Arnold admitted.  “Have you noticed the shrinkage of weight in these last invoices?”

Mr. Jarvis accepted the papers which his junior passed him, and departed into the warehouse.  Arnold was left untroubled with any more questions.  At half-past twelve, however, he was sent for into Mr. Weatherley’s private office.  Mr. Weatherley was leaning back in his chair and he had the air of a man who has come to a resolution.

“Shut the door, Chetwode,” he ordered.

Arnold did as he was bidden.

“Come up to the desk here,” he was further instructed.  “Now, listen to me,” Mr. Weatherley continued, after a moment’s pause.  “You are a young man of discretion, I am sure.  My wife, I may say, Chetwode, thought quite highly of you last night.”

Arnold looked his employer in the face and felt a sudden pang of sympathy.  Mr. Weatherley was certainly not looking as hale and prosperous as a few months ago.  His cheeks were flabby, and there was a worried look about him which the head of the firm of Weatherley & Co. should certainly not have worn.

“Mrs. Weatherley is very kind, sir,” he remarked.  “As to my discretion, I may say that I believe I am to be trusted.  I should try, of course, to justify any confidence you might place in me.”

“I believe so, too, Chetwode,” Mr. Weatherley declared.  “I am going to trust you now with a somewhat peculiar commission.  You may have noticed that I have been asked to speak privately upon the telephone several times this morning.”

“Certainly, sir,” Arnold replied.  “It was I who put you through.”

“I am not even sure,” Mr. Weatherley continued, “who it was speaking, but I received some communications which I think I ought to take notice of.  I want you accordingly to go to a certain restaurant in the west-end, the name and address of which I will give you, order your lunch there—­you can have whatever you like—­and wait until you see Mr. Rosario.  I dare say you remember meeting Mr. Rosario last night, eh?”

“Certainly, sir.  I remember him quite well.”