Via the headhunter:

I just got out of a meeting and was informed that approval for this position was not granted.

I am very sorry to have taken your time on this matter. I was assured that this position was approved verbally and just needed a signature. When I contacted you for a candidate I honestly believed that this position would happen.

Please extended my apologies to Mark. He had great enthusiasm for this position and I will certainly keep his resume handy.

Well, there goes three weeks of my life that I won’t get back…