He's gone to the Riviera--left this morning. [_Crossing to_ SIR RANDLE _and_ LADY FILSON_--appealingly._] Lady Filson--Sir Randle--_you_ don't believe that Titterton and I could be guilty of such an arrant piece of knavery, do you? Ho, ho, ho! It's preposterous. SIR RANDLE. [_Constrainedly._] Frankly--I must be frank--I hardly know _what_ to believe. LADY FILSON. [_Pursing her mouth._] We--we hardly know _what_ to believe. PHILIP. [_Leaving them._] Ah----! ROOPE. [_Who has dropped into the chair by the smoking-table--to_ SIR RANDLE.] Sir Randle--dear excellent friend--let us meet Mr. Dunning to-morrow at Messrs. Hopwood's in Carmichael Lane--we three--you and I and Mackworth---- PHILIP. [_Pacing up and down between the table on the left and the bookcase._] Yes, yes--before I wire to Titterton--or see Curtis, his manager---- ROOPE. [_Over his shoulder, to_ DUNNING.] Hey, Mr. Dunning? DUNNING. Pleasure. [_While this has been going on,_ DUNNING _has put his note-book away and risen, gathering up his hat and overcoat as he does so._ BERTRAM _is now assisting him into his coat._ SIR RANDLE. [_Advancing a step or two._] At what hour----? DUNNING. [_Briskly._] Ten-thirty suit you, gentlemen? SIR RANDLE, PHILIP, _and_ ROOPE. [_Together._] Half-past-ten. ROOPE. [_Scribbling with a pocket-pencil on his shirt-cuff._] 6, Carmichael Lane, Walbrook---- DUNNING. [_Pulling down his under-coat._] I'll be there. ROOPE. [_Lowering his hands suddenly and leaning back in his chair, as if about to administer a poser._] By the way, Mr. Dunning, you tell us you have a strong conviction that Messrs. Hopwood & Co. are a myth, and their offices a sham--[_caustically_] may I ask whether you've tried to ascertain who _is_ the actual tenant of the room and cellar in Carmichael Lane? BERTRAM. [_Sniggering._] Why, Titterton, of course. I mean to _say_----! ROOPE. [_Waving_ BERTRAM _down._] Dear excellent friend----! DUNNING. [_Taking up his hat, which he has laid upon the smoking-table--to_ ROOPE, _with a satisfied air._] Mr. Sillitoe's got that in hand, sir. What I _have_ ascertained is that a young feller strolls in occasionally and smokes a cigarette---- BERTRAM. And pokes about in the cellar---- DUNNING.