Mr. Stafford was on the phone when Henry arrived, discussing a new assignment. After hanging up, he informed Henry that a woman requested surveillance on her husband, who is an actor. He instructed Henry to go to a specified address to gather photographs and details about the man's activities during his travels. The urgency of the task required Henry to catch the eleven o'clock train on Friday.

Henry acknowledged the assignment, demonstrating his readiness to take on the job. The husband in question is involved in a production titled "The Girl." The passage highlights the themes of mystery and observation that are present in P.G. Wodehouse's collection "The Man With Two Left Feet and Other Stories."