"Have you any idea where he can be?" Mr. Woodstock asked, as they
turned away together.
"None whatever. I must see him to-night, though, if possible."
"Ha! And I too."
As he spoke Mr. Woodstock looked at the other keenly, and something
seemed to suggest itself to him.
"I'm going to see if he's been for the rents as usual. Would you
care to come with me?"
Julian looked surprised, but assented. They got into the cab
together, and alighted at the end of Litany Lane, having scarcely
spoken on the way. Inquiries here showed that the collector had gone
his rounds, and departed, it was said, in the ordinary way.
"Have you an hour to spare, Mr. Casti?" asked the old gentleman,
turning suddenly after a moment's reflection.
"Certainly."
"Then I wish you'd just come on with me to St. John's Street Road.
It's possible you may have it in your power to do me a great
service, if Waymark doesn't turn up. And yet, ten to one, I shall
find him waiting for me. Never mind, come along if you can spare the
time; you'll find him the sooner."
Mr. Woodstock tried to pooh-pooh his own uneasiness; yet, totally
improbable as it seemed that Waymark should disappear at such a
juncture, the impatience of the afternoon had worked him into a most
unwonted fit of nervousness.
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