"No offence intended," said the perplexed Holt; "but why in thunder shouldn't I joke about her?"
Stainton's grip loosened, and his eyes twinkled.
"After all," he said, "it must have seemed strange to you——"
"Strange? It looked like the asylum!" said Holt.
"And so," Stainton continued, "I dare say that I do owe you an explanation." He put out his hand again, but Holt dodged.
"No more of that!" said Holt.
"All right," Stainton answered. He laid a hand on Holt's shoulder. "Can you keep a secret, George?"
The clubman blinked in anticipation.
"Seems to me we've had a few together," he said.
"Then," said Stainton, "I'll tell you why I was a little sensitive about comments on Miss Stannard: I am going to marry her."