“‘Not yet’?” he said hoarsely. “_‘Not yet’?_ Why, then, you . . .” “We were the coupé,” said Derry. He nodded at Mrs. Chase. “That lady and I.” “You . . . you was—oh, Gawd, what a perishin’ ’ave,” said P.C. Bloke. The serio-comic note which the apostrophe sounded was irresistible: the realization that it was also sounding the retreat was overwhelming: the four dissolved in peals of hysterical laughter. With tears running down his cheeks, Derry sloshed whisky and soda into a glass and pressed the beverage into the constable’s hand. “You’ve earned it,” he sobbed. “Earned it better than you know. ‘One crowded hour of glorious life is worth’ a spot without a stain—and a bit over. We’ll adjust the balance in a minute. What are you going to tell the Commissioner?” Albert Bloke put his empty hand to his head. “I never see such a case,” he said unsteadily. “Talk about ’and in glove. Why, the pro’ibited degrees ain’t in it. An’ there’s my answer. _’Usbands an’ wives ain’t competent witnesses, sir._” There was a sudden silence. Then— “Thank you,” said Derry softly. “I—I think we’d forgotten that,” he added, glancing around. “It’s—it’s a very good rule,” said Virginia gently. “It is,” said Roger. “It’s of pure gold,” said Rosemary. “But it doesn’t sound like the Law. It’s more like the Book of Proverbs.” “I’ve no doubt it dates from then,” said Derry Peruke. “Solomon probably made it in self-defence.” “Seven ’undred statemen’s,” said P.C. Bloke brokenly. “He had a spade-shaped beard,” said Roger, laughing. “But the Queen of Sheba was driving,” said Mrs. Peruke. “The gods,” said Rosemary Chase, “were in the other car.” Virginia shook her head. “I never saw them,” she said. “There were a couple of goats.” “That’s right,” cried Roger excitedly. “The god in the car was on foot.” “Masquerading,” said his wife, “as a recording angel.” “Which shows,” said Derry, “that the cobbler should stick to his last. As a recorder, he’s failed. As the god in the car, he’s done what we couldn’t have done in a thousand years.” “Exactly,” observed Virginia. “He’s cleared the air.” “And that,” said Rosemary Chase, “with the flat of the sword.” P.C. Bloke, whose brain had been out of its depth ever since the Queen of Sheba, plunged to where it could touch bottom and raised his glass. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “your very good health.” THE END = _ N O V E L S B Y D O R N F O R D Y A T E S _ = =BERRY AND CO.= “Berry is one of Heaven’s best gifts to man.”—_News Chronicle._ =JONAH AND CO.= “Mirth-provoking upon every page.”—_Irish Times._ =ADÈLE AND CO.= “It is, indeed, great fun all the way.”—_Daily Telegraph._ =AND BERRY CAME TOO=