"Of course I was impatient to question Drayle, but I could see that he was desperately fatigued. So I departed. "Next morning I found my worst fears exceeded by the events of the night. The three Farrels who had left us in apparently amiable spirits had proceeded to the home of Mrs. and the original Mr. Farrel. There the argument of who was to leave had been resumed. Both men were, of course, of the same mind. Whether both desired to stay or flee I would not presume to say. But an acrimonious dispute led to physical hostilities, and while Mrs. Farrel, according to accounts, cheered them on, they literally fought to the death. Being equally capable, there was naturally, barring interruption, no other possible outcome. I can well believe they employed the same tactics, swung the same blows, and died at the same instant. "Mrs. Farrel, after carefully retrieving both of her husbands' checks, told a great deal of the story. As might be expected, nobody believed the yarn except our profound federal law makers. They welcomed an opportunity to investigate an outsider for a change and had all of us before a committee. "Finally the Congress of these United States of America, plus the sagacious Supreme Court, decided that my client wasn't guilty of anything, but that he mustn't do it again. At least that was the gist of it. I recollect that I offered a defense of psycopathic neuroticism. "As a result of the _obiter dictum_ and a resolution by both Houses Assembled Drayle's invention was sealed, dated and placed under guard. That's its history, Sergeant." * * * * * The white-haired old gentleman picked up the high silk hat that added a final touch of distinction to his tall figure, and looked about him as if trying to recall something. At last the idea came. "By the way," he inquired suddenly, "didn't I have an extraordinarily obnoxious grandson with me when I came?" The attentive auditor was vastly startled. He surveyed the great hall rapidly, but reflected before he answered. "No, sir--I mean he ain't no more'n average! But I reckon we'd better find him, anyhow." His glance had satisfied the sergeant that at least the object of his charge was safe and his men still vigilant. "I'll be back in a minute," he informed them. "Don't let nothin' happen." "Bring us something more'n a breath," pleaded the corporal, disrespectfully. The sergeant had already set off at a brisk pace with the story teller. For several minutes as they rushed from room to room the hunt was unrewarded. "I think, sir," said the sergeant, "we'd better look in the natural history division. There is stuffed animals in there that the kids is fond of." "You're probably right," the patriarch gasped as he struggled to maintain the gait set by the younger man. "I might have known he didn't really want to hear the story." "They never do," answered the other over his shoulder. "I'll bet that's him down there on the next floor."