At five minutes to the hour she rose and hurried to the north end of the bridge, and stood there, aside from the traffic, shielding little Jack as much as she could with her umbrella, careless that her own clothing was getting wet through.  Big Ben boomed its one stroke.  Minute after minute passed, and her body seemed still to quiver from the sound.  She was at once feverishly hot and so deadly chill that her teeth clattered together; her eyes throbbed with the intensity of their gaze into the distance.  The quarter-past was chimed.  Jack kept talking to her, but she could hear nothing.  The rain drenched her; the wind was so high that she with difficulty held the umbrella above the child.  Half-past, and no sign of her husband. . . .

She durst not go away from this spot Her eyes were blind with tears.  A policeman spoke to her; she could only chatter meaningless sounds between her palsied lips.  Jack coughed incessantly, begged to be taken home.  ‘I’m so cold, mother, so cold!’ ’Only a few minutes more,’ she said.  He began to cry, though a brave little soul. . . .

Four o’clock struck.

From Brixton our unconventional friend betook himself straight to Holloway.  Having, as he felt sure, the means of making things decidedly uncomfortable for Mr. Rodman Williamson, it struck him that the eftest way would be to declare at once to his brother Richard all he knew and expected; Dick would not be slow in bestirring himself to make Rodman smart ’Arry was without false shame; he had no hesitation in facing his brother.  But Mr. Mutimer, he was told, was not at home.  Then he would see Mrs. Mutimer.  But the servant was indisposed to admit him, or even to trouble her mistress.  ’Arry had to request her to say that ’Mr.  ‘Enery Mutimer’ desired to see the lady of the house.  He chuckled to see the astonishment produced by his words.  Thus he got admittance to Adela.

She was shocked at the sight of him, could find no words, yet gave him her hand.  He told her he wished to see his brother on very particular business.  But Richard would not be back before eight o’clock in the evening, and it was impossible to say where he could be found.  ’Arry would not tell Adela what brought him, only assured her that it had nothing to do with his own affairs.  He would call again in the evening.  Adela felt inhuman in allowing him to go out into the rain, but she could not risk giving displeasure to her husband by inviting ’Arry to stay.

He came again at half-past eight.  Mutimer had been home nearly an hour and was expecting him.  ’Arry lost no time in coming to the point

’He’s married that other woman, I could see that much.  Go and see for yourself.  She give me ’alf-a-crown to tell all about him.  I’m only afraid he’s got off by this time.’

‘Why didn’t you go and give information to the police at once?’ Mutimer cried, in exasperation.

’Arry might have replied that he had a delicacy in waiting upon those gentlemen.  But his brother did not stay for an answer.  Rushing from the room, he equipped himself instantly with hat, coat, and umbrella.