‘Mistress, I have brought with me a document, an ugly document, truly, to show a lady, and to such a one as thou it is indeed vexatious to have the handling of it. Nevertheless, it has been entrusted to me, and obedience is the first great principle of all order. Therefore, very unwillingly, I confess, I call upon thee in the Emperor’s name to surrender thyself—here is my authority,’ and he held out the warrant for her perusal, still keeping his hold of it. When she had finished, she stood for a moment thinking, whereupon he stepped forward to lead her away, when Mercia falling back a little, drew herself up haughtily, and exclaimed—‘Touch me not, fellow, I will leave this house of mine own accord when I am fully prepared for my journey, for I must attire myself suitably before going into the night air, also my carriage must be made ready for me.’ ‘We have brought the ordinary police-van by special order of the Emperor, we dare not let any other be used,’ interpolated another officer, for there were three of them. ‘The police-van for _me_!’ repeated Mercia indignantly, ‘and by the Emperor’s orders too! What has the Emperor to do with the administration of the law? I refuse to obey such an order.’ ‘And rightly so,’ interjected Geometrus hotly, then turning with furious face upon the constables, he added—‘This lady goes with you in her own carriage, or not at all.’ ‘What is that to thee?’ returned the sergeant of police sharply, ‘a pretty person to lay down conditions to us, and dictate how we are to perform our duty, seeing thou art in the same boat thyself. Here is the warrant for thy apprehension; and get thee ready quickly.’ ‘If you touch her, any of you, against her will, I will strike him dead with my electric dagger!’ shouted Geometrus, who was beside himself with anger. ‘There are more daggers than thine, young man,’ exclaimed one of the men roughly, as he rushed towards Geometrus with his handcuffs opened ready to clasp them in an instant; but Geometrus was too quick for him, and tripping the constable with his foot, the latter staggered to the ground awkwardly, while the handcuffs were dashed out of his grasp with a deft blow from Geometrus. Then the other two constables springing to the aid of their fellow took hold of Geometrus, one at either side, and a desperate struggle was about to commence, but at this juncture out rushed Sadbag from his hiding place exclaiming—‘Why all this bubbery, ye idiots, what matters it what sort of vehicle you use for their conveyance so that you get your prisoners safe in quod? That is enough for you! Let the lady go as she will, and no more nonsense about it, otherwise I will make it pretty hot, both for you and your masters, afterwards.’