"Rather a superficial test."
"Not at all. I have known seven marriages at
least, entirely wrecked, because the husband liked
sitting up till midnight and the wife fell asleep at
half-past nine and vice versa."
"It's a pity," said Betty, "that everybody can't
be happy. Basil and I, and his mother giving us her
blessing."
Mr. Parker Pyne coughed.
"I think," he said, "that that could possibly be
managed."
She looked at him doubtfully.
"Now I wonder," she said, "if you're double
crossing me?"
Mr. Parker Pyne's face told nothing.
PROBLEM AT POLLENSA BAY
93
To Mrs. Chester he was soothing, but vague.
An engagement was not marriage. He himself was
going to Soller for a week. He suggested that her
line of action should be noncommittal. Let her
appear to acquiesce.
He spent a very enjoyable week at Soller.
On his return he found that a totally unexpected
development had arisen.
As he entered the Pino d'Oro the first thing he
saw was Mrs. Chester and Betty Gregg having tea
together. Basil was not there. Mrs. Chester looked
haggard. Betty, too, was looking off color. She
was hardly made up at all, and her eyelids looked