"It 's just a coincidence. Things do go wrong," he added.
When he had said this he moved to go.
"I 'm sorry," said Kirby, "I didn't know you felt so strongly about it. Or rather I did know, and I oughtn't to have spoken."
Mr. Brassington was still confused. He did not answer, and he made to go out.
Mr. Kirby did not detain him, but just as his friend was opening the door he said—
"Brassington, can you show me the counterfoil to that cheque?"
"No, I can't," said Brassington. "Book's gone. It was in the Overcoat."
"Oh, the book's gone too!" said Mr. Kirby. "Well, I hope you 've stopped all the remaining numbers in the Cheque Book?"
"Yes," said Mr. Brassington doggedly.
Mr. Kirby thought a moment.
"Brassington," he said, "I 've got to be in London on Wednesday. And I 'm going to the Rockingham. I 'm going to give a dinner. Will you come? Will you come early—and, I say—bring your son—bring Algernon. Come by five o'clock. I 'll be waiting."
"I 'll come," said Mr. Brassington—as though asking why.
