‘About the girl?’ he said, with a sharp glance.
‘So I thought. Miss Lois Drew may be a very nice young lady, and I don’t say she’s not, but she’s hardly the kind of daughter-in-law the old man would be looking out for.’
‘It’s a fact, Innes. You’re right. Now if it had been my Lady Evelyn, things would have been different.’
‘You bet,’ said the valet.
The men’s allusion was to a subject of common gossip in Halford. Austin Ponson was universally believed to be in love with the daughter of the local bookseller. And as universally, it was assumed that such a match would have the determined opposition of Sir William.
‘I think we might send in to Mr Austin’s, and find out,’ went on Parkes after a pause. ‘If he’s there no harm’s done, and if not, why, it might be just as well to tell Mr Austin.’
‘Well, I’ll go in and see him if you think so.’
‘I would be glad. Hughes can run you in in the small car.’
Some twenty minutes later Innes rang at the door of a pleasant looking little villa on the outskirts of Halford.
‘Is Mr Austin about yet, Mrs Currie?’ he asked, as an elderly woman, with a kindly, dependable face, answered.