‘It looks like it, doesn’t it?’ said the girl with a short laugh. ‘No–I’ve got some pride. Tell him everything’s all right and that I–I wish him luck.’

When Basil returned at sunset he was greeted by a storm.

He flushed a little at the sight of his ring.

‘So that’s how she feels, is it? Well, I daresay it’s the best thing.’

‘Basil!’

‘Well, frankly, Mother, we don’t seem to have been hitting it off lately.’

‘Whose fault was that?’

‘I don’t see that it was mine particularly. Jealousy’s beastly and I really don’t see why you should get all worked up about it. You begged me yourself not to marry Betty.’

‘That was before I knew her. Basil–my dear–you’re not thinking of marrying this other creature.’

Basil Chester said soberly:

‘I’d marry her like a shot if she’d have me–but I’m afraid she won’t.’

Cold chills went down Mrs Chester’s spine. She sought and found Mr Parker Pyne, placidly reading a book in a sheltered corner.

‘You must do something! You must do something! My boy’s life will be ruined.’

Mr Parker Pyne was getting a little tired of Basil Chester’s life being ruined.

‘What can I do?’

‘Go and see this terrible creature. If necessary buy her off.’

‘That may come very expensive.’

‘I don’t care.’

‘It seems a pity. Still there are, possibly, other ways.’

She looked a question. He shook his head.

‘I’ll make no promises–but I’ll see what I can do. I have handled that kind before. By the way, not a word to Basil–that would be fatal.’

‘Of course not.’

Mr Parker Pyne returned from the Mariposa at midnight. Mrs Chester was sitting up for him.

‘Well?’ she demanded breathlessly.

His eyes twinkled.

‘The Señorita Dolores Ramona will leave Pollensa tomorrow morning and the island tomorrow night.’

‘Oh, Mr Parker Pyne! How did you manage it?’

‘It won’t cost a cent,’ said Mr Parker Pyne. Again his eyes twinkled. ‘I rather fancied I might have a hold over her–and I was right.’

‘You are wonderful. Nina Wycherley was quite right. You must let me know–er–your fees–’

Mr Parker Pyne held up a well-manicured hand.

‘Not a penny. It has been a pleasure. I hope all will go well. Of course the boy will be very upset at first when he finds she’s disappeared and left no address. Just go easy with him for a week or two.’

‘If only Betty will forgive him–’

‘She’ll forgive him all right. They’re a nice couple. By the way, I’m leaving tomorrow, too.’

‘Oh, Mr Parker Pyne, we shall miss you.’

‘Perhaps it’s just as well I should go before that boy of yours gets infatuated with yet a third girl.’

II