"Mr. Welwyn, Mrs. Welwyn, and general public," he began--the latter designation was apparently intended for the Mainwaring family, who, with the exception of Dicky, had ranged themselves into a compact group on the further side of the room--"I appeal to you as British subject--as a member of that great Empire upon which the sun never sits--" "Sets, old comrade!" corrected Dicky from the door. "Shed your tears!" commanded Mr. Ram, disregarding the interruption. "Give us a look in! I am in jeopardy--in a damtight place! My adversary knocks upon the door--the avenging Pumpherston! He arraigns me of petty larceny. He accuses me that I have confiscated his table. But I am innocent! I make my defence! I throw myself--Ah-a-a-a-a-h! Help!" The other door--that leading into Mr. Welwyn’s bedroom, which itself communicated with the landing outside--burst open, and a small, red-whiskered, and intensely ferocious gentleman bounded in. It was the avenging Pumpherston. Mr. Ram bolted across the room like an obese rabbit, and took refuge behind the hostile but protective form of Lady Adela. The avenger paused, obviously nonplussed by the size of the assembly. "I beg your paurdon," he said awkwardly. "I wis not aware--" He turned, to find Percy and Dicky standing beside him, one at each shoulder. "We were half expecting you, Mr. Pumpherston," said Dicky, with a friendly smile. "But if you and this gentleman are playing hide-and-seek, the den is upstairs." "I beg your paurdon," repeated Mr. Pumpherston, whose bellicosity was fast evaporating, "but yon fat heathen has robbed me. He has lifted a piece of furniture--Heh! Let me get at him!" With a convulsive bound he wrenched himself free from his interlocutors and made a dash for the door. But he was too late. Mr. Mehta Ram, keeping under the lee of Lady Adela and the furniture, had made use of the brief respite afforded by the recital of his assailant’s grievances to effect an unostentatious departure, and was now halfway up the staircase again. The baffled Pumpherston followed him with a long-drawn howl. "Come on, Percy!" said Dicky. The pair raced out in pursuit, banging the door behind them. Presently from abovestairs came the sound of renewed conflict; a few dull thuds and muffled crashes; and then--silence. ―――― Lady Adela rose to her feet in awful majesty, and addressed the stunned and demoralised remnants of the tea-party. "Is this a private asylum," she enquired in trumpet tones, "or is it not?" Grandma Banks was the only member of her audience who replied. "My late ’usband," she whimpered--"my late ’usband, Mr. Josiah Banks! Greatly respected in ’Itchin--greatly respec--" Tears coursed slowly down her furrowed cheeks. In a moment Tilly was kneeling beside her, with her arms round the frail old body, whispering gently and caressingly into her ear. There was a long silence, and Sylvia began to pull on her gloves.