'Then don't deviate into careless compliment. It causes unnecessary conversation, and the mutton is far from bad, though not far from being finished.' 'If only the lobsters----' began Peggy plaintively. 'I do not believe in the lobsters,' said Childwick firmly. 'Then she asked me after Trix Trevalla---- Why, there's a knock!' It was true. The policeman had at last approached the woman with a step that spoke of a formed decision. To his surprise she suddenly exclaimed in an impatient voice, 'Oh, well, if they're going to stay all night, I can't wait,' and crossed the road. He followed her to the doorstep. 'This isn't where you live,' he said, as though kindness suggested the information. 'No, it isn't,' she agreed. 'Come now, where do you live?' 'I don't know,' she answered, seeming puzzled and tired. 'My flat's let, you see.' 'Oh, is it?' Sarcasm became predominant in the policeman's voice. 'Taken it for the Maharajeer of Kopang, have they?' A prince bearing that title was a visitor to London at this time, and was creating considerable interest. 'Nonsense!' said she with asperity, and she knocked, adding, 'I know the lady who lives up there.' 'There's a woman on the doorstep--and a policeman!' cried Peggy to her companions; she had run to the window and put her head out. 'Now, Tommy, which has come for you and which for me?' asked Childwick. 'Stay where you are,' said Peggy. 'I'll go down and see.' In spite of Tommy's protests--Childwick made none--she insisted on going alone. The fact is that she had two or three friends who were habitually in very low water; it was just possible that this might be one who was stranded altogether. The men waited; they heard voices below, they heard the hall-door shut, there were steps on the stairs, the red-baize door swung on its hinges. 'She's brought her up,' said Childwick. 'Where are our hats, Tommy?' 'Wait a bit, we may be wanted,' suggested Tommy. 'That's why I proposed to go,' murmured Childwick. 'Rot, old fellow,' was Tommy's reception of this affected discretion. He went to the window and craned his neck out. 'The policeman's gone,' he announced with some relief. 'That's all right anyhow!' 'All right? Our only protection gone! Mark you, Tommy, we're in luck if we don't have our pictures in a philanthropic publication over this.' 'Where have they gone? Into one of the bedrooms, I suppose.' The door opened and Peggy ran in. Her eyes were wide with astonishment; excitement was evident in her manner; there was a stain of mud on the skirt of her best white frock. 'The whisky!' she gasped, clutched it, and fled out again. 'Now we know the worst,' said Miles, turning his empty glass upside down. 'Don't be a fool, Miles,' suggested Tommy, a little impatiently. 'I'll stop as soon as there's anything else to do,' retorted Miles tranquilly. Peggy reappeared with the whisky. She set it down on the table and spoke to them. 'I want you both to go now and to say nothing.'