"They won't release Cleveland, Howard writes me," said the earl. "Things have taken a cross turn." Grace closed her book and clasped her hands. Lady Acorn threw down her knitting, and inquired who would not release him. "The magistrate who has sat to hear the case," replied Lord Acorn. "Sir--what's the odd name?--Turtle Kite. He refuses, absolutely, to release Charles, until the true culprit shall be brought before him--seems to think it is a trick, Howard says." "Good Heavens!" cried Lady Grace, foreseeing more dire consequences than she would have liked to speak of. "What will become of Charles? What of Adela? Oh, papa! they cannot compel her to appear, can they?--to take Charles's place?" "I don't know what they can do," gloomily responded the earl. "Hang these aldermen! What right have they to turn obstinate, when a prisoner's innocence is vouched for?" "And where _is_ the prisoner?" cried my lady. "Taken back to Newgate. Is to be brought up again tomorrow, _to be committed for trial_. Well, this is a pretty kettle of fish!" Grace bit her pale and trembling lips. "Was Mr. Grubb at the examination, papa?" "No. Grubb's at Blackheath. Has not been up, Howard says, since he went down yesterday. What on earth is to be done?" "The best thing to do is for you to go to Blackheath and see Mr. Grubb," promptly cried the countess. "If Adela were a child, I should beat her. Bringing all this worry and disgrace upon us!" "I couldn't go there and be back for the dinner," cried he. For they were engaged that evening to a state dinner at a duke's. "Bother dinner!" irascibly retorted Lady Acorn. "If this affair can't be stopped, Adela will have to be smuggled over to the Continent, and stay in hiding there. If it is _not_ stopped, and her name has to appear, we shall never be able to show our faces at a dinner-table again." Lord Acorn wore a perplexed brow. Look at the affair in what light they would, it seemed to present nothing but difficulty. Once Charles Cleveland was committed for trial, what would be the end of it? He _could not_ be allowed to stand his trial--and what might not that involve for Adela? Lord Acorn, hating personal trouble of all kinds, especially trouble so disagreeable as this, betook himself--not to Blackheath, as enjoined by his wife, but to the City. He would see Mr. Howard first, and hear what his opinion was. Jumping out of the cab which had conveyed him to Leadenhall Street, he jumped against Serjeant Mowham. "No good your going up," cried the serjeant. "Howard has left, and Grubb seems to be nowhere today." "Have you heard about poor Charley?" asked Lord Acorn. "Of course I have; that has brought me here. Primerly came to my chambers on other business, and told me what had happened. I came down here at once to catch one of the partners--or both of them--and see if there's anything to be done." "What can be done?" returned Lord Acorn.