The Time Machine
how do the other characters know that the time traveller has been detained?
?
?
The other characters know the TT is detained because he leaves them a note to start dinner without him if he hasn't returned.
'You've just come? It's rather odd. He's unavoidably detained. He asks me in this note to lead off with dinner at seven if he's not back. Says he'll explain when he comes.'
The Time Machine