_Undershell._ _One_ horse will be quite sufficient. Very well, then. I'll just run up and get my portmanteau, and--and one or two things of mine, and if you will be round at the back entrance--don't trouble to drive up to the _front_ door--as soon as possible, I won't keep you waiting longer than I can help. Good evening, Mr. Adams, and many thanks. (_To himself, as he hurries back to the house._) I've got out of that rather well. Now, I've only to find my way to the Verney Chamber, see this fellow Spurrell, and get my clothes back, and then I can retreat with comfort, and even dignity! These Culverins shall learn that there is at least _one_ poet who will not put up with their insolent patronage! _Checkley_ (_to_ ADAMS). He _has_ got a cool cheek, and no mistake! But if he waits to be druv over to Shuntingbridge till _I_ come round for him, he'll 'ave to set on that portmanteau of his a goodish time! _Adams._ He did you pretty brown, I must say. To 'ear you crowing over me when he was on your side. I could 'ardly keep from larfing! _Checkley._ I see he warn't no vet long afore you, but I let it go on for the joke of it. It was rich to see you a-wanting him to feel the 'oof, and give it out navickler. Well, you got his opinion for what it was wuth, so _you're_ all right! _Adams._ You think nobody knows anything about 'orses but yourself, you do; but if you're meanin' to make a story out o' this against me, why, I shall tell it _my_ way, that's all! _Checkley._ It was you he made a fool of, not me--and I can prove it--there! [_They dispute the point, with rising warmth, for some time._ _Adams_ (_calming down_). Well, see 'ere, Checkley, I dunno, come to think of it, as either on us 'll show up partickler smart over this 'ere job; and it strikes me we'd better both agree to keep quiet about it, eh? (CHECKLEY _acquiesces, not unwillingly_.) And I think I'll take a look in at the 'ousekeeper's-room presently, and try if I can't drop a hint to old Tredwell about that smooth-tongued chap, for it's my belief he ain't down 'ere for no good! PART XV TRAPPED! _In a Gallery outside the Verney Chamber._ TIME--_About_ 10.15 P.M. _Undershell_ (_to himself, as he emerges from a back staircase_). I suppose this _is_ the corridor? The boy said the name of the room was painted up over the door.... Ah, there it is; and, yes, Mr. Spurrell's name on a card.... The door is ajar; he is probably waiting for me inside. I shall meet him quite temperately, treat it simply as a---- (_He enters; a waste-paper basket, containing an ingenious arrangement of liquid and solid substances, descends on his head._) What the devil do you mean, sir, by this outrageous----? All dark! Nobody here! Is there a general conspiracy to insult me? Have I been lured up here for a brutal---- (SPURRELL _bursts in_.) Ah, _there_ you are, sir! (_With cold dignity, through the lattice-work of the basket._) Will you kindly explain what this means?