I can see the solicitor glancing
from him to me in an apprehension of which I did my best to
disabuse him by reassuring looks. At the close Raffles
apologized for his preoccupation, called for an A.B.C.
time-table, and announced his intention of catching the 3.2 to
Esher.
"You must excuse me, Mr. Addenbrooke," said he, "but I have my
own idea, and for the moment I should much prefer to keep it to
myself. It may end in fizzle, so I would rather not speak about
it to either of you just yet. But speak to Sir Bernard I must,
so will you write me one line to him on your card? Of course, if
you wish, you must come down with me and hear what I say; but I
really don't see much point in it."
And as usual Raffles had his way, though Bennett Addenbrooke
showed some temper when he was gone, and I myself shared his
annoyance to no small extent. I could only tell him that it was
in the nature of Raffles to be self-willed and secretive, but
that no man of my acquaintance had half his audacity and
determination; that I for my part would trust him through and
through, and let him gang his own gait every time. More I dared
not say, even to remove those chill misgivings with which I knew
that the lawyer went his way.
That day I saw no more of Raffles, but a telegram reached me when
I was dressing for dinner:
"Be in your rooms to-morrow from noon and keep rest of day
clear, Raffles.
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