"'E says 'e must see you to-night, ma'am," annotated James excitedly. "And 'e acted most hobnoxious to me!" "Oh, he acted obnoxious, did he?" remarked Mrs. Pumpelly airily. "What was he obnoxious about?" "'E 'as a paper 'e says 'e wants to serve on you personal," answered James in agitation. "'E says if you will hallow 'm to step into the dining-room 'e won't take a minute." "Perhaps we'd better let him come in," mildly suggested Pierpont. "It's always best to keep on good terms with the police." "But I haven't broken any law," repeated Mrs. Pumpelly blankly. "Maybe you have without knowin' it," commented her husband. "Why, Pierpont Pumpelly, you know I never did such a thing!" she retorted. "Well, let's have him in, anyway," he urged. "I can't digest my food with him sitting out there in the hall." Mrs. Pumpelly took control of the situation. "Have the man in, Simmons!" she directed grandly. And thereupon entered Officer Patrick Roony. Politely Officer Roony removed his cap, politely he unbuttoned several yards of blue overcoat and fumbled in the caverns beneath. Eventually he brought forth a square sheet of paper--it had a certain familiarity of aspect for Mrs. Pumpelly--and handed it to her. "Sorry to disturb you, ma'am," he apologized, "but I was instructed to make sure and serve you personal." "That's all right! That's all right!" said Pierpont with an effort at bonhomie. "The--er--butler will give you a highball if you say so." "Oh, boy, lead me to it!" murmured Roony in the most approved manner of East Fourteenth Street. "Which way?" "Come with me!" intoned Simmons with the exalted gesture of an archbishop conducting an ecclesiastical ceremonial. "What does it say?" asked her husband hurriedly as the butler led the cop to it. "Sh-h!" warned Mrs. Pumpelly. "James, kindly retire!" James retired, and the lady examined the paper by the tempered light of the shaded candles surrounding what was left of the "voly vong." "Who ever heard of such a thing?" she cried. "Just listen here, Pierpont!" "CITY MAGISTRATE'S COURT, CITY OF NEW YORK "In the name of the people of the State of New York "To 'Maggie' Pumpelly, the name 'Maggie' being fictitious: