An officer beckoned to James, and he made his way to the prisoner's box. His honor looked him over coldly. "Name?" "James Osborne." "Born here?" "No." "Say 'sir'." "No, sir." "Where were you born?" "In New York State." "How old are you? And don't forget to say 'sir' when you reply to my questions." "I am twenty-eight, sir." "Married?" "No, sir." "How long have you been engaged as a groom?" "Not very long, sir." "How long?" "Less than twenty-four hours, sir." Surprise rippled over the faces of the audience on the benches. "Humph! You are charged with disorderly conduct, reckless driving, and attempted abduction. The last charge has been withdrawn, fortunately for you, sir. Have you ever been up before?" "Up, sir?" "A prisoner in a police-court." "No, sir." "Twenty-five for reckless driving and ten for disorderly conduct; or thirty days." "Your Honor, the horses ran away." "Yes, urged by your whip." "I was not disorderly, sir." "The officer declares that you had been drinking." "Your Honor, I got the wrong carriage. My number was seventeen and I answered to number seventy-one." He wondered if _she_ would believe this statement. "I suppose that fully explains why you made a race-track of one of our main thoroughfares?"--sarcastically. "You were on the wrong carriage to begin with." "All I can say, sir, is that it was a mistake." "The mistake came in when you left your carriage to get a drink. You broke the law right then. Well, if a man makes mistakes, he must pay for them, here or elsewhere. This mistake will cost you thirty-five." "I haven't a penny in my clothes, sir." "Officer, lock him up, and keep him locked up till the fine is paid. I can not see my way to remit it Not another word,"--as Warburton started to protest. "Marie Johnson, Mabel Tynner, Belle Lisle!" cried the clerk. The two veiled ladies left the court precipitately. James, having been ushered into a cell, hurriedly called for pen and ink and paper. At half after ten that morning the following note reached me: "Dear Chuck: Am in a devil of a scrape at the police-court. Tried to play a joke on the girls last night by dressing up in the groom's clothes. Got the wrong outfit, and was arrested. Bring thirty-five and a suit of clothes the quickest ever. And, for mercy's sake, say nothing to any one, least of all the folks. I have given the name of James Osborne. Now, hustle. Bob." I hustled. VIII ANOTHER SALAD IDEA When they found him missing, his bed untouched, his hat and coat on the rack, his inseparable walking-stick in the umbrella-stand, they were mightily worried. They questioned Jane, but she knew nothing. Jack went out to the stables; no news there. William, having driven the girls home himself, dared say nothing. Then Jack wisely telephoned for me, and I hurried over to the house. "Maybe he hunted up some friends last night," I suggested. "But here's his hat!" cried Nancy.