"Thank you," said Pendleton. "And one thing more--if I hear of your telling this story any other way than with these truthful additions--and if you don't amend, before this day is over, the tales you've already told, I shall cane you within an inch of your life--understand. I don't think the woman with you saw--but if she did, better warn her also--though I don't doubt, if she did see it, she will tell the truth. Now, go!"--and he flung him away in contempt. "You damn bully!" Dolittle choked. "As you wish!" Pendleton laughed. "I've found my muscular development of much use for such abominations as you.--Mr. Emerson, will you do me the honor of joining me in a drink?" "That I will, sir!" exclaimed Emerson. "With pleasure, sir, with pleasure! Where shall it be, Mr. Pendleton?" "Here, if it please you. This is preferable to indoors on such a fine day." He touched a bell. "Take Mr. Emerson's order," he said to the boy. "My dear sir, it was great--great!" Emerson exploded. "You deserve a vote of thanks from every man who has a wife or daughter. You're a credit, sir, a credit to your class and to the Club--by God, sir, you are!" "It was a difficult situation to handle," said Pendleton--"and I'm not so sure I handled it properly; however, it was the best I could think of on the spur of the moment. Moreover, it was the simple truth that I forced Dolittle to tell." "I haven't a doubt of it," Emerson declared. "And what is more, Dolittle knows that it is the truth, if he actually didn't see it. He's a pup, sure enough." "You slander the pup, Mr. Emerson!" smiled Pendleton. "I do, indeed. I beg the pup's pardon. He's a--what is he?" "He is the same as Porshinger--an abomination." "That expresses it exactly--an abomination," Emerson agreed. He glanced quietly around. "He has joined Porshinger--they are scheming trouble for you, I'm afraid." Pendleton smiled indifferently, and lit a cigarette. "I wish I had your nerve," said Emerson admiringly. "To flout both Porshinger and Dolittle--make them both your vindictive enemies, and not to seem to care a damn. That's what you fellows call _noblesse oblige_, isn't it?" "Most people would call it rank idiocy, I fear!" Pendleton laughed. "Then me for the rank idiots. Here's to more of them, Mr. Pendleton, here's to more of them!" He put down his glass. "Who's this burning up the speed regulations? Gee! he certainly is hitting it up some." "It looks like Mr. Lorraine's machine," Pendleton replied. The car dashed up and made a spectacular stop--to the injury of the tires and the machinery--and Lorraine jumped out, followed by a man in a shabby uniform with a shield on the front of his waistcoat. "What's this?" said Emerson--"a plain clothes man in disguise--or," as Lorraine and the man drew near, "a constable in regalia?" Pendleton smiled slightly but did not reply. Lorraine, his eyes on Porshinger, made his way directly across to him--giving Pendleton a preoccupied nod as he passed.