"I'm Grimes from Scotland Yard."
"Let me explain," put in Betty. "I—I'm in great trouble, Guardy."
"I'll tell him, dear," said Bob. "Father, I—I've asked Betty to be my wife."
"Well, it ain't that that's makin' ye look like a funeral, is it?" drawled Hiram. "Go on, now; let me have it."
Betty and Bob spoke at the same time, both pointing scornful fingers at Grimes.
"He says that I——"
"He dares to say that Betty——"
"Easy now! Not all at once. Say, Bish, you'd better tell it."
Bunchester coughed impressively. "My dear friend, it seems incredible, but the fact is Mr. Grimes thinks that Miss Thompson was concerned in the—er—misappropriation of that five thousand pounds."
"That was stolen from you? Betty Thompson? No, no, no!" thundered the old man.