"I wish you would send some one around to Magistrate Swinton's office at once," Porshinger directed. "I've been arrested--yes, that's what I said--I've been arrested for assault and battery, and the officer is going to lock me up if I haven't bail ready. I'm out at the Otranto Club now--but we're coming right in, and I'll meet your man there. You telephone the magistrate we're coming, will you?--What?--Yes, they know who I am, but it don't influence the fellow with the warrant--he says he has to take me--which is correct, I reckon.... Yes, some one will suffer, you're damn right!... What is it about?--the assault?--I'll tell you when I see you. Some people have got themselves into a hell of a mess.... Yes.... Very well. Good-bye.--Now, my man, I'm at your service." Side by side they crossed the piazza and entered Lorraine's car. "Tell my machine to follow," said Porshinger, to the servant who opened the door. During the drive, Porshinger did not speak, and Burke was discreetly quiet. When they drew up at the magistrate's office, Burke hopped out and offered his hand to the other, who ignored it. Lorraine's car immediately drove off, and Porshinger's took its place. "Ah! Dalton, you came yourself, did you? I'm glad to see you," said Porshinger. "There wasn't any need, I suppose, one of your young men would have been able to handle this matter." "I thought it best to come myself," Dalton replied. "No trouble, I assure you--just simply a case of bail. Everything is arranged. All you have to do is to sign your name. Then we'll waive a hearing, and let the matter come up in court, if you want it to come up," with a sharp glance at his client's face. "Otherwise, we'll have the district attorney's office pigeon-hole it." "I'm not sure what I want," said Porshinger. "Well we'll waive the hearing anyway, and you can take your time to consider." "I'm not sure I want it waived," Porshinger answered. "I'm inclined to fight." "Don't do it before the magistrate," the lawyer advised. "He is sure to hold you, and it will only make the matter more prominent. You're playing into Lorraine's hands by doing it. For some reason, he seems to want the facts aired. So it's your policy to suppress them--no matter if you're as innocent as to-morrow. A _woman_ is involved--and you must submit to a few adverse inferences for the general good of your cause. Society will forgive much in such a case, _if you're quiet_--it will never forgive you if you make a fight." "That is your advice?" "On general principles, yes," Dalton replied. "There is force in your argument," Porshinger admitted. "However, I don't know--let the magistrate fix the hearing--we can waive it any time before, I suppose?" "You will have to come around here and renew your bail," said Dalton. "Why is that?" "If you waive the hearing you give bail for court; if you don't waive the hearing your bail will be to appear before the magistrate at a time fixed."