"But you did say it, Robert."
"Then I withdraw it now."
"But you can't, Robert. You must go further. Something has happened to-day, something very serious."
"Oh?" said Pettifer.
"Yes," replied Mr. Hazlewood. "Margaret really has more insight than I credited her with. They propose to get married."
Pettifer sat upright in the car.
"You mean Dick and Stella Ballantyne?"
"Yes."
And for a little while there was silence in the car. Then Mr. Hazlewood continued to bleat.
"I never suspected anything of the kind. It places me, Robert, in a very difficult position."