THE LAW CROUCHES AND SPRINGS Literally, Master Polydore Vigil received the severest shock of his life, when a few days after the events recorded in the last chapter there reached him the warrant against Endymion Leer, duly signed and sealed by the law-man of the district of Swan-on-the-Dapple. Dame Marigold had been right in saying that her brother was now completely under the dominion of the doctor. Master Polydore was a weak, idle man, who, nevertheless, dearly loved the insignia of authority. Hence, his present position was for him an ideal one--he had all the glory due to the first citizen, who has, moreover, effected a coup d'etat, and none of the real responsibility that such a situation entails. And now, this terrible document had arrived--it was like an attempt to cut off his right hand. His first instinct on receiving it was to rush off and take counsel with Endymion Leer himself--surely the omniscient resourceful doctor would be able to reduce to wind and thistledown even a thing as solid as a warrant. But respect for the Law, and the belief that though everything else may turn out vanity and delusion, the Law has the terrifying solidity of Reality itself, were deep-rooted in Master Polydore. If there was a warrant out against Endymion Leer--well, then, he must bend his neck to the yoke like any other citizen and stand his trial. Again he read through the warrant, in the hopes that on a second it would lose its reality--prove to be a forgery, or a hoax. Alas! Its genuineness was but too unmistakable--the Law had spoken. Master Polydore let his hands fall to his sides in an attitude of limp dismay; then he sighed heavily; then he rose slowly to his feet--there was nothing for it but to summon Mumchance, and let the warrant instantly be put into effect. As it was possible, nay, almost certain, that the Doctor would be able to clear himself triumphantly in Court, the quicker the business was put through, the sooner Master Polydore would recover his right hand. When Mumchance arrived, Master Polydore said, in a voice as casual as he could make it, "Oh! yes, Mumchance, yes ... I asked you to come, because," and he gave a little laugh, "a warrant has actually arrived--of course, there must be some gross misunderstanding behind it, and there will be no difficulty in getting it cleared up in Court--but, as a matter of fact, a warrant has arrived from the law-man of Swan-on-the-Dapple, against ... well, against none other than Dr. Endymion Leer!" and again he laughed. "Yes, your Worship," said Mumchance; and, not only did his face express no surprise, but into the bargain it looked distinctly grim. "Absurd, isn't it?" said Master Polydore, "and most inconvenient."