Putting in his clutch he continued his journey, and was just rounding the corner of Pall Mall, when he suddenly became aware of the immaculately dressed figure of his cousin Henry striding briskly along the pavement towards him in the direction of Whitehall. The encounter was too sudden to admit of any strategy, so with a graceful resignation to fate he brought the car to a halt. Henry came up with a look of surprise upon his face. "One doesn't often see you about as early as this," he observed. "You will in future," said Tony. "I have turned over a new leaf. I find that all our successful statesmen have been early risers." "I am pleased to hear it," said Henry heartily. "I always thought that if you ever took up politics it would make all the difference to you." "It has," said Tony. There was a short pause. "Did you get that White Book about the Patagonia boundary dispute?" inquired his cousin. Tony nodded. "I did," he said. "I haven't had time to read it all yet, but it seems most interesting. Such good print too." "They get them up very well," said Henry. "I will send you round some more as soon as you have gone through that. There is nothing like a thorough grounding before you start work." "I wish you would," replied Tony. "I was half thinking of running across to South America in the _Betty_ with Guy, and looking into things myself for a few weeks. I should like to have some nice interesting reading for the voyage." Henry looked at him in surprised approval. "I think that's a very good idea," he said. "Laura will be extremely pleased when I tell her, because it shows that you are taking the matter seriously." He pulled out a little tablet from his waistcoat pocket and made a note in pencil. "I will see if I can get you a few letters of introduction to some of our people over there. I shall say of course that you are just taking a voyage for your health." "That's about right," said Tony. "Thanks so much. I must be trotting now, or I shall be late for an appointment." He waved a good-bye and started off the car again, while Henry, putting back his memorandum tablet, continued his way to the Home Office. Half an hour later, having disposed of the motor circulars and having restored his energies with a brandy and soda, Tony set out again for Basil Mansions. It was still only eleven o'clock, but Claudine, who answered the bell, informed him that Molly was already up and awaiting his arrival in the drawing-room. He found her as usual sitting at the piano, practising over a song. She spun round on the stool at his entrance, and then jumped up with both her hands outstretched. "Oh, Tony," she exclaimed, "I am so glad you have come." He waited until Claudine had closed the door, and then kissed her carefully on the curve of her cheek. "I should have been here long before, Molly," he said, "but I was afraid of waking you up. A good night's rest is so essential to brain-workers."