"For a cup of tea; no more. As I say, she was a bit disappointed you were not there for tea. She wondered where you were."
"Oh, I've got to be out much later tonight I shall have to go home and change, of course. But I've got to be out much later tonight"
Deliberately Jenny rose from her chair. Deliberately she dipped over to where Martin was standing, and took his arm. He put his hand over hers. Dr. Laurier made no comment and no sign: a grey-headed statue in the doorway, his pince-nez opaque, the medicine-case in his hand.
"And — Ricky!" the ex-fiancée called.
"Eh?"
"You will lend us your car for tonight, won't you?"
"Of course. And…" Despite his perturbation, the old smile kindled Ricky's face. "Look here, old boy. This man-of-honour business is all very well. But is there any real reason why you shouldn't stay with us instead of putting up at the pub? Can't you at least come over for dinner tonight?"
"I've been a fool," Martin blurted: "I'm always being a fool. -But I had some wild sort of notion that everyone here was an enemy.. "
"Who can tell?" murmured Dr. Laurier.
The words fell with soft chilling weight. It was as though a dagger had thudded into a door; not too melodramatic a comparison, because Dr. Laurier bad a certain hobby. Martin felt Jenny's soft'arm grew rigid against his coat-sleeve. And then: "I beg your pardon!" added the doctor, and stepped aside.