"Mr. Emerson," he said, "I want to compliment you on what you have said to this cad Dolittle. Yours was the conduct of a gentleman." Then he turned to Dolittle. "As for you, you miserable retailer of scurrilous gossip, I'm going to give you an opportunity to finish your tale." His right hand shot out and seized Dolittle by the top of the waistcoat; at the same time his left hand grasped the other's left wrist. In a twinkle Dolittle's arm lay extended palm upwards across Pendleton's right arm, and Pendleton was standing close beside him. It was all done in an instant--and before Dolittle realized what was happening he was absolutely helpless. Pendleton had but to press down and the arm would snap like a pipe-stem. Dolittle's first struggle was also his last. His right arm was free, and with it he swung heavily at Pendleton's head--only to be lifted off his feet by a slight downward pressure on his left wrist. The pain was so excruciating he cried out.--The blow was wasted on the air. "It's no use, Dolittle," said Pendleton. "You can't touch me and you can't break my hold--though I can break your arm as readily as I can break a commandment--and what is more, I'll do it unless you finish your tale!" "It was finished," Dolittle answered, balanced uncomfortably on one foot and perfectly helpless. "Not at all!" said Pendleton easily. "You have forgotten the most important part--please listen, Mr. Emerson--the most important part, I say. Let me remind you what it is." "It isn't anything, I tell you!" Dolittle exclaimed. "Think again!" Pendleton admonished, accompanied by the faintest pressure--which instantly brought a spasm of pain to the other's face. "You will, I'm sure.--Now this is what you omitted to relate. You told Mr. Emerson that you saw Mrs. Lorraine being kissed by Porshinger last evening in the Croyden conservatory, but you forgot to add that he kissed her by force and despite her struggles.--Repeat it, please." Dolittle was sullenly silent. "Do you hear?" asked Pendleton, beginning to apply the pressure. Dolittle stood the agony for an instant--then he wilted. "I neglected to add, Mr. Emerson," he gasped, "that Porshinger kissed Mrs. Lorraine by force and despite her struggles." "I thought you could be depended upon to tell the whole truth," Pendleton remarked, easing up a trifle on his grip so that the other stood at ease. "Then if you want the whole truth, why was it that the lady went back to the ballroom _with_ Porshinger?" Dolittle sneered. "I'm coming to that," said Pendleton, tightening his hold again. "Repeat, please--and immediately Mrs. Lorraine was free and out of Porshinger's grasp, she ordered him to take her back to the ballroom, so as to avoid the comment that might be provoked by her returning alone." With a scowl of fury, Dolittle repeated the words.