"Well, it's a step in the right direction so to speak. At any rate it isn't going back."
"I wish I knew how you knew that."
"I wish I could tell you, old fellow," he placidly replied.
"Look here," I said abruptly. "There's just one possible way out, but I rather doubt whether you'd agree to it. I mean about what you wanted me to do last night. Would you allow me to tell the whole thing to my friends the Airds and leave the decision to them?"
Quickly, very quickly, he shook his head. "No, I'm afraid I couldn't do that."
"But is anything else fair and right?"
"If I stop as I am?"
"In any case."
"They wouldn't believe you."
"I think Mrs Aird might believe me."