"And her exact age?"
"She will be nineteen on the third of February." Marsden jotted down
his reply, and then sat frowning thoughtfully at the pad.
"I suppose there's no more information you can give me in connection
with her--no little fact or detail that you've forgotten to mention?"
Colin reflected. "By Jove, yes!" he exclaimed suddenly. "I've never
told you that we're going to be married."
Allowing for the Inspector's naturally reserved manner, the effect of
these few words was extraordinary. He pushed back his chair, stared
for a moment half incredulously, and then, slapping his knee, broke
into a loud and prolonged chuckle of laughter.
Before either of them could speak again there was a tap outside, and
an apologetic constable presented himself in the doorway.
"Beg pardon, sir," he said, "but the Commissioner is ready to see
you."
With an abrupt change of manner Marsden rose to his feet.
"Thank you, Jackson," he said. "I will be down immediately."
Then, as the door closed, he took a step forward, and with another
hearty chuckle gripped hold of Colin's hand.
"I congratulate you with all my heart, doctor," he said. "Unless I'm
a damned fool, you're the luckiest man in England."