noon
Yvonne was in Brighton . Paul long since had realised that the sympathy between them was imperfect , but always he had counted upon re-establishing the old complete comradeship when his great task should be at last concluded . This morning he had learned the truth , that Yvonne was with Orlando James , but his brain was still too numb fully to appreciate it . Towards noon he sat down at his writing-table and began to read with close attention the typed pages of _ The Key _ . Bassett was becoming anxious and had rung up more than once during the morning . Arrangements had been made to publish simultaneously in the principal capitals of the world , and the publishers had been busy for several months accumulating paper to meet the unparalleled demand for this vast first edition ... . Eustace knocked three times at the study door to announce that luncheon was served , but Paul continued his reading .