"I was still lying on that bally sofa," said Bill, "trying to look done in and getting the fidgets worse and worse. Then I heard someone run down the stairs, and Loraine got up and went to the door. I heard Thesiger's voice, but not what he said. I heard Loraine say: 'That's all right--it's gone splendidly.' Then he said: 'Help me carry him up. It will be a bit of a job, but I want them both together there--a nice little surprise for No. 7.' I didn't quite understand what they were jawing about, but they hauled me up the stairs somehow or other. It _was_ a bit of a job for them. I made myself a dead weight all right. They heaved me in here, and then I heard Loraine say: 'You're sure it's all right. She won't come round?' And Jimmy said--the damned blackguard: 'No fear. I hit with all my might.' "They went away and locked the door, and then I opened my eyes and saw you. My God, Bundle, I shall never feel so perfectly awful again. I thought you were dead." "I suppose my hat saved me," said Bundle. "Partly," said Superintendent Battle. "But partly it was Mr. Thesiger's wounded arm. He didn't realize it himself--but it had only half its usual strength. Still, that's all no credit to the Department. We didn't take the care of you we ought to have done, Lady Eileen--and it's a black blot on the whole business." "I'm very tough," said Bundle. "And also rather lucky. What I can't get over is Loraine being in it. She was such a gentle little thing." "Ah!" said the Superintendent. "So was the Pentonville murderess that killed five children. You can't go by that. She's got bad blood in her--her father ought to have seen the inside of a prison more than once." "You've got her too?" Superintendent Battle nodded. "I daresay they won't hang her--juries are soft-hearted. But young Thesiger will swing all right--and a good thing too--a more utterly depraved and callous criminal I never met. "And now," he added. "If your head isn't aching too badly, Lady Eileen. What about a little celebration? There's a nice little restaurant round the corner." Bundle heartily agreed. "I'm starving, Superintendent Battle. Besides," she looked round, "I've got to get to know all my colleagues." "The Seven Dials," said Bill. "Hurrah! Some fizz is what we need. Do they run to fizz at this place, Battle?" "You won't have anything to complain of, sir. You leave it to me." "Superintendent Battle," said Bundle, "you are a wonderful man. I'm sorry you're married already. As it is, I shall have to put up with Bill." CHAPTER XXXIV LORD CATERHAM APPROVES "Father," said Bundle, "I've got to break a piece of news to you. You're going to lose me." "Nonsense," said Lord Caterham. "Don't tell me that you're suffering from galloping consumption or a weak heart or anything like that, because I simply don't believe it." "It's not death," said Bundle. "It's marriage."