shoe-trees in his mouth, was importuning him to play by the simple expedient of thrusting the bauble against the calf of his leg. "My good dog, if you expect

d, trotting across to the sideboard, laid his toy at m

said I, "to gambol upon a

late in hand, he gave a protesting bark, which was answered by a fox-terrier from the box-seat of a

g with us?"

him at Hillingdon while we're at Church. B

rs to get there. If we start at eleven, that'll give us an hour to brush one another, lunch and rehearse the s

d Jill, "I heard

tened. Sure enough, a long spasm of ringing came simult

to tell me I've drawn a runner in the three-pound sweep." A

Major Pleydell

s it,

l Institute

ill you hol

annoyance I ascended the first flight and shouted again. From behind a closed door h

I opened the

a luxurious bath

take any notice of me. And don't shut the d

," said I, "upo

d Berry. "I suppose yo

d

umbent position an

miles away, sitting with his ear glued to a piece of vulcanite, and here am I in the midst of an

I, "the Wadd

er-in-law invested a very ordina

ght, "cannot they ring up at

ncountering unexpectedly another member of the household, hitherto missing from his tale, and, observing that the latter's face was a reasonable distance from

lt was i

oment his buffer flinched, the paws fell short of their objective, and with a startled grunt the terr

followed baff

d and blew and slipped and scratched, caring not at all what was his under

He's catching at me. Don't stand there l

ath to himself, was swimming sturdily in the deep water and scrabbling fruitlessly on the porcelain, while Be

" said I, "go and a

got into that bath in the prime, as it were, the very heyday of life. And now.... At least, I shall be in t

her-in-law's towel and fol

anding in the li

she demanded, "ha

up my

ste

eaking upon

you must know, it was a bloodhound. They told me at the Dogs' Home that he'd lost his scent as a result of the air raids, but last night the charwoman gave him a sausage I'd left, and he pulled me down this morning.... Yes. This is Major Pleydell.... Oh, Walte

he receive

l them this morning, will you?" I looked up from the operation of drying Nobby an

not left the bath when Nobby entered it.

d from the library with

ow, I tremble for that dog's soul. It mayn't be his fault, but it's invariably my misfortune." He turned to my siste

eleven," said Daphne. "For go

sponge-bag trousers are unrolled, the elastic-sided boots un

s by this time fairly dry and as f

cour

. I might get run over. Th

is your towel. He

rry fingered

if I were to assault you." He hung the towel over his arm, picked up the terrier and looked into his eyes. "You wicke

ngling amicably regarding my brother-in-l

will you?" said Daphne, as w

d I. "You shall

's place. Incidentally he had also taken two pounds ten shillings in notes, which I frankly admit I had n

could be turned-and more also. Between a chauffeur's wages and his Army pay there was fixed a

en, on her return from Egypt, my sister visited the family and reported that they would be most thankful if the child could be a

him that his little boy could soon be received into an institution, from which there was

as doubtful if the supply of cars and carriages would prove equal to the demand. Therefore we had decided to go down by road. With my uncle's land marched the well-timbered acres of Hillingdon, where the Tanyons lived, and they had very kindly invited us to luncheon, so that we should not descend u

back seat. The girls wore dust-cloaks to save their finery, and two large bandboxes concealed their respective hats. Berry, Jonah and I wore light overcoats above our morning-dress,

oon floating through the midst of blowing cherry orchards and fra

recious park, keeping the timid deer in generous custody: a silver stream stole between smiling hayfields, crept shadowed and cool under the dusty road and, beyond

th timely sweetness. At the bidding of an aged finger-post Jonah turned to the left, and a moment later the car was scudding up a leafy lane, high-banked, narrow, and soon so screened and arched with foliage that in a little we were being swept through a veritable tunn

that it was five and twenty to one. We were in good time, for now bu

eat and prepared to cover the

zed what was happen

the turn and sounded his horn carefully, for ours was the lesser road. As we rounded the corner there was a deafening roar, a cry, a violent shock, a splintering crash, the Rolls quivered like a

he road, stumble, pick himself up, and hurl himself in the wake of the monster, b

LF 8057. Write it down, s

aid Jonah. "I got

et and with trembling fingers wrote down the

onah, screwing himself roun

" said I. "But it

ill passionately. "T

clenched teeth in a vo

car's overturned and on fire, and we're pinned under it. It's German. Pure full-blooded

Jill to alight. She was a little pale, and, when she saw t

y arm a

e than it is. And we'll have that me

ry glance at the damage, limped to the opposite side of

" said Berry, his f

ed my sh

I pointed along the road to left and right. "See how it curves. And we're on th

we hit

Motor Car Acts and bring a civil action

esca

ay we've go

ng sigh and clapp

ter already

Jonah and I subjected the Ro

y been struck on the tire, and the fact that neither of the fore-wheels had collapsed spoke volumes for their sturdy construction. The shock, however, had put the

ated disconsolate upon the bank on the opposi

them here and all go on in the hireling to Hillingdon. We shan't get any lunch, but we'll be in time for the wedding, with luck. By the time we get back from Monk's Honour, if the fellows k

a red tongue lolled from his gaping jaws; but his little tail was up, and, as he toiled gamely towards us, he wagged it to and fro by way of greeting. Of one accord we welcomed him with a cheer. Obviously gratified by our appreciation, Nobby smiled an unmistakable sm

ing his heaving flank. "It didn't

g to caress him "The way you went

perfectly well that he couldn't catch it, and that it was nothi

phne and Jill in a breat

if I'd got out and chased it,

ere to offer to walk to Marvel inste

shock was severe, but I'm not as bad as t

d to my

ift, don't wait." I pointed to Nobby. "He'll want to come with me, so hang on to him. An

r. Take it as e

was striding alon

ly dressed in an unusually loose grey overcoat, tweed cap, striped cashmere trousers and patent-leather boots. I had taken off my mor

cs, but I must confess that my face fell when the onl

f the oast-house to see what was making the noise. When

id Daphne, "that this is

odd

ou want to be there before the serv

that way, isn't it? Yes. Oh, but what a line! What finish! You know, all it wants is a board with 'Ancient Lights' on the ra

boxes from the Rolls, and two minutes later the mechanics ha

upon the back seat, and Berry, in a standing position, Nobby, the ha

hind?" I

"Still, the door that will s

I could, I le

frightful jerk, th

king upon him and began to lick his face. Daphne and Jill clung to one another, convulsed with merriment and emitting such tremulous wails of laughter as the function of breathing would permit, while, with tears coursing down his cheeks, Jonah was trying to bellow

o our places, there was a tell-tale stir at the porch, uprose the strains of a well-known hymn, the bridegr

my face.... It was with something of a shock that, as the

ised, and his white teeth bared, he was regarding the trousers of an amateur sidesman, who h

ck and key and returned to the church, Madrigal

erry received the

i

wete Rowley, has handed us your com

ladder's car did not leave the garage upon the day of the accident in which you were con

s bearing his number, which you will agree is improbable, in the natural confusion of t

is accustomed to, he appreciates that it was written while you were smarting under

fait

IM AND

h the wind was sitting, we mad

eur's dress. Finally, the village of Swete Rowley lay but some twenty-two miles from the scene of the accident. But that was all. It was, of course, unthinkable that the offending car could have sustained no damage, but it was quite possible that it would have nothing more serious

us pace, we threw down the glove. Solicitors were instructed, counsel's opinion was taken, an information was sworn before a Justice of the Peace, and within one week of the date of hi

, who asked that the hearing of the summonses might be adjourned

great good fortune the case of Pleydell v. Bladder came

aw is not apparent: of severity there is but a suggestion: something, indeed, of dignity, but less than a visitor

idle word, surgeons whose cunning probes will stir its motive from the deed, never so thoughtless. Whole walls of law books, ranged very orderly, calf-bound, make up a reverend pharmacopoeia, where you shall find pr

pered consultation, the pregnant nod, the nervous litigant buttonholing his lawyer, his advisers urging a certain course upon an indignant suitor, the furtive fellowship of witnesses, the solemn tipstaves, the ushers commanding s

s the door which led into the Judges' corridor, descended into the well of the Court, and looked complacently about him. Two or three cases were mentioned, the jury was sworn, and the

able. Upon the same bench, a little further along, was sitting Mr. Bladder, a large bland gentleman, with an air of good-nature which in t

to the jury so vivid a word-picture of the accident, and had dwelt so convincingly upon the facts which pointed to the defendant's guilt, that it was actually difficul

e were of no avail. Daphne followed her cousin. She was a little nervous at first, and the Judge requested her to raise her voice. She responded gallantly, and the conviction with which she told her story in corroboration of Jonah produced a noticeable effect

less Jill to the mercies of our opponent's team, and, when I stepped down fr

r Ple

pected, he made an excellent witness. I began to wonder

r. He was a "silk," whose obvious confidence in his ability was shared by few. Influence rather than merit had, I was told, won his admission to th

n, "that we've all heard so mu

" said

ort of

ious g

urymen made no attempt to disguise his amuse

ght or dark

ig

t have b

a beautiful ruby pink. But i

d than before, ran round the Co

rn that it wa

it w

ere were two

here

s not driving was wearin

he w

he number of passengers, and were actually able to observe how one

l you. I wa

ur oat

glance at counsel before removing his pince-nez and sitting back in his chair. "The heads a

e the car was tra

y not. Th

matter of

er of fact,"

o be rude, Ma

e your wo

pealed to

must ask you

to interfere," wa

oceeding. He was one of tho

r conclusion, "that your recollection of th

him. Then he leaned back in

ly shaking his head, "you

a roar o

ealth, sir," was

you were to burst or anything, I

ith merriment. The tone in which counsel put hi

your recolle

ht. Let me

d up a depr

here was, I belie

re w

mount

The road was

the

t, too. For a wind

sn't the air th

e by-yes. It swallowed

e d

and looked r

tammered, "I sh

bait like a carp upo

ting. You say the dus

llowed the dust. It w

of laughter couns

are you re

ne by, he jumped out into the du

sel conferred

ou mention th

think it n

your solicit

t think it nec

if the defendant didn't happen to own a Sealyham, this would be rather a

think so.

said of the offending car which could not b

dially

both, according to your st

y no

ionably,

ears that he has never had a Seal

eve him, but I shouldn't argue i

cept his

t it was

e obvious that the car out of which the Sealy

Berry. "As a matter

eadlong progress towards the pit which he had digged had been gleefull

iscussed this ca

hav

o w

ok a dee

ist lately, but I think every

sed it with the

naus

s that explains why you

coolly, "is an in

breathless silence. Sitting back in his padded

red counsel i

the dignity of ev

one another full in the eyes. Then co

fair charge for the execution of such repairs to the Rolls as the accident had necessitated, and that another

ped down f

our leader, "is the ca

r left its garage, for the very good reason that its engine was down. "I shall call the defendant, and I shall call before you his chauffeur. Both will tell you in detail that the dismantling of the engine was commenced at ten in the morning, and that by half-past twelve-a few minutes before the actual time of the accident-the operation was completed." That the plaintiff had suffered an injury he d

ized that it was not g

dastardly conduct of some fugitive cur." As a motorist, he "so well understood our feelings." But-at length and with a wealth of detail he described how he and his chauffeur had spent the twenty-second of May. With the exception of an ho

thought, patience, and rehearsal than ninety-nine rogues out of a hundred are prepared to spend. It soon became unpleasantly clear that Mr. Bladder was the hundredth knave,

feel extrem

wer, and, when he stepped down from the box and the Court rose at five-and-twenty minutes past one, it was with something of a

voy, and he and the others left imm

oment to speak w

. But he knows his job inside out, and he's shaken our case badly. I can't speak for the Judge, but he's impressed the jury, and you can't get away from it. I

my way out of

he taxi to which I

quiet voice, "that y

ut a moment before I had passed her upon the steps, and, as I did so, wondered what was her business wi

I said. "I was

ile de

say where we ha

my brain feverishly,

sperately. "I can tell you where

point. Try Mad

were one of he

etter. Ho

aiting, so I o

m at lunch. We'll find

hesi

good of y

d gravely, "would

were rocketing pa

incorruptible judge have you corrupted with your smile? What jury have

dy sm

u can't remember my name! Ho

said I, "and chance it. And what may I say

e little wretch told me to meet him there, and he'd get me in to hear a motor-car case." I started. "Of course he never appeared, and I-my father was a K.C., so I'm not

e like. But tell me. D'you know anythin

hambers is in it. That's how he

Tristram's

arth did

xi drew up at the e

handed her out twittering. "Didn't you know

thing. You don't

r and hurried he

d, "to see us go down, you'll ha

. My companion was immediately recognized by my sister and Jill, but

plained, "and got swep' into

icate simultaneously. You know. Like you used to

iece of salmon

essimistic

en and ground his teeth. A ha

nd watch that liar laugh in h

well as our own," said

the arm, and I looked

ink it's

e up against it. And-an

spered. "Need Ji

t you must, dear.

the quondam bridesmaid, and, to judge from such fragments of the load as reached my ears, utte

tongue was

l," said Daphne miserably. "I

sweetheart. Nobody could have done more. And they don't dis

odded

slowly. "That man is so terribl

Jill inte

way to the wedding. It nearly ran into

ha

ne full of tongue-framed the

en car went by like a flash of lightning. Fortunately we were on the other side, or we'd have been smashed up. And, miles behind, there was a little w

bb

the first

his watch. "Counsel must know this at once. Com

their wake, taking the carpeted steps three at a time, and generally evincing such symptoms of nervous excitement as are seldom seen save upon the screen of a cinematograph. Indeed, ou

orridor which led to our Court. As luck would have it, our

the arm and brea

nce. Vital. We've go

man of

y, pointing to a consultin

the apartment an

ere were hasty steps, the door opened, and the K.C., fo

d the story which Mi

ed. "I know our case is closed

upon t

peak to th

in corrob

hey come to the very natural conclusion that, between the excitement of the moment and the pace at which the car was travelling, Mrs. Pleydell and Captain Mansel have made a mistake -perhaps only of one figure-in the number they saw.

ber feeling s

y a treacherous hope into the belief that we were saved, we were fallen into a dee

isers into Court, and a moment

case, were made. Then leading counsel for the def

ter

glimpse of the witness as he approached the box. Could it be possible that Fate with fiendish irony had selected the ex-trooper

he crowded Court. Somebody was pu

as D

n for more than three years, stepped out of the ruck

ok in your r

oice. As in a dream I he

hole truth.... And n

ed and he kisse

, our eyes met, and he looked me full in t

Walter Dale?

n a low

p and the Jury may hear. You are a cha

es

er the twenty-

s,

ds exactly what you did that day. First of all, on

, it

t. Even the Judge started, and the defendant half rose from his seat and, when his solicitor laid

he twenty-second of May, the day of the accident to the plaintiff's car

Dale sturdil

hat you're saying

ever I 'ad." He pointed to me. "The Captain there. Little I knowed, when I took 'is money"-scornfully he nodded at t

d counsel, pro

his hand and tur

you are on

was drivin', an' me by 'is side. Tore by 'em, we did, an' 'it 'em an' left 'em. Sends me up to Town for a new

udge turned his head slowly and peered

ing at the

face for all to see. Guilt, fear, and beastly rage were horribly depicted. The clos

a hand to his throat, and stepped uncertainly towards

e shattered

rdship will appreciate that I

silk, counsel

livered its verdict without leavin

ment with costs

udge

ents of the case be impounded and be sen

cceeded his words, I felt a touch on

ters," he said. "For you sha