The buses stopped, and their two conductors appeared. In blasphemous terms, the cab-driver called the world to witness that it was not his fault. His fares alighted indignantly. A crowd began to collect. . . . Then the police came up. * * * * * “Were you drunk?” said the Earl shortly. “I was not, sir. But just now the police have got drunkenness on the brain.” “What evidence have you?” “None.” “Who did you dine with?” “I can’t say, sir.” “You mean, you can’t drag her in?” “Exactly.” “For her sake, or ours?” “Hers.” Lord Larch pointed to a table. “Give me pen and paper,” he said. Pembury did as he was bid, and the Earl lay back on his pillows and wrote a note. _Mr. Forsyth,_ _Be good enough to attend to this matter. Lord Pembury was not drunk and so should not be convicted. Call me if you think it advisable._ _Larch._ “Take that to Forsyth,” he said. “And dine with me here to-night.” “Thank you, sir.” Father and son understood each other perfectly. The latter went his way and duly surrendered to his bail at eleven o’clock. Evidence of arrest was given, and then, at Forsyth’s request, the case was adjourned. Some evening papers gave much prominence to the affair. So did some morning papers of the following day. Down in Somerset, with the Fairies, Lady Elizabeth Crecy never saw the reports. Out of regard for her, none of the house-party drew her attention to them. It was known that she and Pembury were very old friends. As for Pembury himself, the man prayed hourly that, ere the news reached her, the case would be over and done. She was not a reader of news-sheets: she was well out of Town; that anyone would inform her was most unlikely. Of course, she would know one day, but, with luck, not until it was . . . too late . . . with luck. . . . * * * * * Mr. Quaritch, of Treasury Counsel, removed his pince-nez. “The police contend that you were drunk. Three things, they say, corroborate their contention. First, Lord Pembury, you collided with another vehicle. Secondly, you smelt of liquor. Thirdly, a bottle and glass, both of which had recently contained beer, were found in a pocket of your car. Very good. Our answer to the first is that the collision was due to a skid, which was itself due directly to the fact that a taxi shot without warning across your path and indirectly to the fact that you were admittedly driving rather faster than the condition of the streets was warranting. Am I right?” “Perfectly,” said the delinquent. The lawyer inclined his head. “Our reply to the second is that, very shortly before the accident happened, you had consumed one half of a small bottle of beer.” “I had.” “Very good. What is our answer to the third?” Pembury shrugged his shoulders.