"Yes, it's rather an impertinence, isn't it?" Thresk agreed. "But I was looking into a case late last night in which irrevocable and terrible things are going to happen if there is not forgiveness."
Dick took his cigarette-case from his pocket.
"I see," he remarked, and struck a match. Both men rose from the table and at the door Dick turned.
"Your case, of course, has not yet come on," he said.
"No," answered Thresk, "but it will very soon."
They went into the library, and Mr. Hazlewood greeted his son with a vivacity which for weeks had been absent from his demeanour.
"Did you ride this morning?" he asked.
"Yes, but Stella didn't. She sent word over that she was tired. I must go across and see how she is."
Mr. Hazlewood interposed quickly:
"There is no need of that, my boy; she is coming here this morning."