"Come if you possibly can," said Colin. "Nancy will be longing to thank you for everything you've done, and if you want any further inducement Mark's got some topping good champagne."
* * * * * * * * *
The light was still streaming out through the shattered window as, leaving his car at the gate of "The Firs," Colin once more made his way up the drive and strode eagerly across the lawn.
On reaching the verandah he found that the broken hasp had been fastened roughly together inside by a piece of wire, and while he was endeavouring to disentangle the latter the figure of Joe appeared suddenly in the doorway.
At the sight of Colin he hastened forward with a shout of welcome.
"'Alf a moment, guv'nor. 'Ere, let me get at it. You'll cut your 'and on that glass if you ain't careful."
With a quick turn of his fingers he wrenched off the wire and flung open the window, and at the same moment Nancy herself came hurrying into the room.
"Oh, Colin, at last!" she cried. "I was so afraid that something had happened to you."
Regardless of Joe, Colin took her into his arms and kissed her two or three times with reassuring fervour.
"Nothing has happened to me, Nancy," he said. "I'm afraid I can't say the same with regard to Fenton and Cooper."