"How?"
"I know how. You see, I've known about this plan of theirs for quite some time. And I know how it will come out. There will be a lot of confusion once this double ceremony is over and they think they're safe. While this confusion is going on, the preacher-man will be filling out the wedding certificates. He will, of course, have forgotten the correct names of the married ones. He will look up—and he will see me. I will tell him that I arrived a little late for the festive event, but can I be of help? Let's not annoy the happy people with details. You're confused? Then permit me to supply the details."
"Yeah?" said the pilot, interested.
"Then I'll supply the necessary details to make certain that the marriage certificate handed to Tony Graydon will state that he is solidly wedded to Joan Willson: conversely, the certificate handed to Peter Hedgerly will irrevocably state that he is to have and to hold until death do him part from Marie Baker. Quod Erat Demonstrandum!"
"Think there's a good probability of your getting away with it?"
"An excellent probability," stated Hedgerly. "This, chum, is it!"
Hedgerly arrived as the festivities came to a close. Quietly he slipped into the back door of the cottage and walked through the house until he came to the parson's study. There he waited until the gentleman arrived, and then he said:
"I am a relative of one of the fellows involved, sir. I seem to have been late for the big occasion, and I'd rather not interfere right at the present."
The parson looked up and nodded genially, "Not even to kiss the brides?"