'I see. Then you knew all about that business in New York?'
'Yes, sir. And it was for that reason that I was not altogether favourably disposed towards Mr Biffen when you were first kind enough to suggest that I might be able to offer some slight assistance. I mistakenly supposed that he had been trifling with the girl's affections, sir. But when you told me the true facts of the case I appreciated the injustice I had done to Mr Biffen and endeavoured to make amends.'
'Well, he certainly owes you a lot. He's crazy about her.'
'That is very gratifying, sir.'
'And she ought to be pretty grateful to you, too. Old Biffy's got fifteen thousand a year, not to mention more cows, pigs, hens, and ducks than he knows what to do with. A dashed useful bird to have in any family.'
'Yes, sir.'
'Tell me, Jeeves,' I said, 'how did you happen to know the girl in the first place?'
Jeeves looked dreamily out into the traffic.
'She is my niece, sir. If I might make the suggestion, sir, I should not jerk the steering wheel with quite such suddenness. We very nearly collided with that omnibus.'