He ceased, with a little smiling sigh, and lifted a cigarette from a silver case which lay on the table. Le Shore regarded him steadily.
“Mr. Tregarthen,” said he, “Molly and I are engaged. I should have told you before.”
The older man did not pause in the act of lighting his cigarette; but enjoyed an inhalation of smoke before he answered—
“I plead guilty to a suspicion, Richard. I am confident our vizier has been safeguarding the proprieties. You remember what I said to you in his excuse just now?”
“I have your sanction, sir?”
“Certainly, as a form. But I am afraid, from the practical side, you will have to satisfy that same inquisitor.”
“Mr. George Hissey,” said Dicky, “I have papa’s authority to marry Miss Molly. Now, with your permission, I will relieve you of your trust.”
“Dicky!” cried the girl reproachfully; and she put her kind young arms round the ex-burglar’s neck.
“Unless,” said Le Shore, “you care to transfer that to my ‘crib,’ Mr. Hissey.”
The butler cleared his throat.