"As you say, Pons," I agreed. "No doubt you will go over the major points with me again on the way back to Praed Street. I am not quite sure I have quite grasped every step of your reasoning."
"Certainly, Parker," said Pons affably as we walked across the concourse to where the hiss of steam made a deafening noise beneath the great canopy.
"Good bye, Inspector. A pleasure to work with you."
Inspector Fitzjohn's face flushed with pleasure.
"An education, Mr. Pons. We have, of course, already formally dropped the charge against Mr. Fernchurch and he will get an official apology. A statement is appearing in the main Yorkshire evening papers and in the London newspapers in the morning."
British justice is ever quick to make reparation, Inspector," said Pons. "And we have certainly avoided a dreadful miscarriage of justice on the occasion."
He turned to watch Inspector Fitzjohn as he hurried out of the main entrance.
"Though whether our friend Fernchurch is really so fortunate as Fitzjohn makes out is something only time will tell."
I followed Pons through the barrier and produced my ticket to be clipped. I rejoined him outside the buffet.
"I am not quite sure I follow you, Pons."
My companion seemed abstracted in manner.
"It was just a thought which occurred to me, Parker. Ah, I felt I was not mistaken."
He had caught sight of the willowy figure of Miss Smithers threading her way through the crowd toward us. She seemed embarrassed as she caught sight of us and stopped momentarily. A tall, military figure with her took her by the arm. Her smile was forced and artificial as she came up. Pons raised his hat and I followed suit.
"Quite a surprise, Miss Smithers," he said dryly. "To see you so far afield quite so soon"
"A little outing, Mr. Pons."
The tall man with angry eyes and a clipped mustache, dressed in a captain's uniform, looked at us with well- bred indifference.
"Allow me to introduce Captain Gore-Willoughby, Mr. Pons. Mr. Pons, Dr. Lyndon Parker."
"Delighted, gentlemen."
The captain's hand was cold and fishlike. He yawned and consulted his wristwatch.
'Ten minutes before our train leaves, Evelyn."
"Very well, Nigel."
The girl turned to Pons again.
"We are going to stay with Captain Gore-Willoughby's relatives at Harrogate for the weekend. I felt I needed to get away."
"A delightful watering place," said Pons ironically. "Pray do not let me detain you further."
And he raised his hat politely as the oddly assorted couple hurried across the bridge.
"Well, Pons!" I said explosively.
Solar Pons took my arm and steered me down the platform as the thunder of the London-bound train sounded in the distance.
"You must learn to take a more equable and considered view of life, my dear fellow. Young Fernchurch has escaped one great peril, and he might well have fallen into another."
"You cannot mean it, Pons!"
"Ah, Parker, you find yourself seduced once again by a pair of winning eyes, a hank of hair, and a passable figure."
"Really, Pons!"
We pressed forward as the London train drew in.
"My dear Parker," Pons went on. "I have hinted it before and I will repeat it now. If that engagement between Miss Smithers and Fernchurch comes to anything I shall be extremely surprised. And if I am any judge of the human condition, that young man will be a great deal better off."
And so it proved.