“For Heaven’s sake don’t; will wire whatever you wish.--Vivian.” “Don’t. Ankles perhaps catching; dangerous Capricornus.--Vivian.” “Have you started?--Vivian.” “Have not started, but at threshold of door; wire full explanation of crab with grandmother, et cetera, last night or shall start instanter.--Jupiter and Madame Sagittarius.” “Truth is very little result last night; did not see crab with grandmother; deeply regret.--Vivian.” “Then wire result of scorpion with grandmother.--Sagittarius.” “Very sorry did not see scorpion with grandmother.--Vivian.” “Impossible; believe stars out; clear sky; self and Madame distinctly observed crab and scorpion with grandmother for four hours.--Sagittarius.” “On honour did not see crab, scorpion or grandmother.--Vivian.” “Then has grandmother passed over?--Sagittarius.” “Certainly not, but no result; pray cease discussion, grandmother and square distracted by incessant uproar of boys at door.--Vivian.” “Leaving house; with you as soon as possible.--Jupiter and Madame Sagittarius.” “Heaven’s sake don’t; tell truth; did not look through telescope at all last night.--Vivian.” “What meaning of this swore oath broken; no gentleman; coming at once for explanation.--Jupiter and Madame Sagittarius.” “Stop; sending boy messenger with full explanation; severe accident last night, injured head, so unable look for crab, grandmother and scorpion.--Vivian.” “Astounded, upset, Madame says not conduct gentleman; might have seen crab, grandmother and scorpion with injured head; mere excuse--caput mortuus decrepitum cancer.--Sagittarius.” “Pray excuse; look to-night without fail; Heaven’s sake cease writing; grandmother and whole square amazement, confusion; shall go mad if continues.--Vivian.” “Very well, but insist on full letter; confidence in oath much shaken; wires most shifty; gross neglect of crab, grandmother and scorpion.--Sagittarius.” “Homo miserum sed magnum est veritatus et praevalebetur.--Madame Sagittarius.” CHAPTER XI MISS MINERVA OPENS HER BOOK OF REVELATION IN A CAB “Assure the Lord Chancellor that the last boy has been and gone--gone away, that is, Mr. Ferdinand, and that I pledge my sacred word not to have another telegram to-day.” “Yes, sir. His lordship desired that you should be informed that, according to the law regulating public abominations and intolerable street noises, you was liable to--” “I know, I know.” “And that, by the Act dealing with gross offences against the public order and scandalous crimes against the peace of metropolitan communities, you was amenable--” “Exactly. Go to his lordship and swear--” “I couldn’t do that so soon again, sir, really. I swore only as short ago as yesterday, sir, by your express order, but--” “I mean asseverate to his lordship that the very last boy has knocked for the very last time.”