"All this is, as you say, informal." "Quite informal, sir," agreed Pett, who gained in cheerfulness with every word.

"Oh, absolutely so.

Between ourselves, of course.

But it'll be all the pleasanter if you know.

My aunt, Miss Pett, naturally does not wish, Mr.Brereton, that any person--hereabouts or elsewhere--should entertain such suspicions of her as you seemed--I speak, sir, from information furnished--to suggest, in your examination of her today.