“ Mr. Eversleigh, my lord.”

As Bill hastened in, Lord Caterham caught his hand and spoke earnestly.

“Hullo, Bill. You’re looking for Lomax, I suppose? Look here, if you want to do a good turn, hurry into the drawing-room and tell him the Cabinet have called an immediate meeting, or get him away somehow. It’s really not fair to let the poor devil make an ass of himself all for some silly prank.”

“I’ve not come for Codders,” said Bill. “Didn’t know he was here. It’s Bundle I want to see. Is she anywhere about?”

“You can’t see her,” said Lord Caterham. “Not just now, at any rate. George is with her.”

“Well⁠—what does it matter?”