This does not concern you. Of course,
inspector, we're all only too dretfully anxious to do anything to help
the Law, but you must specify the occasion more exactly. Our committee
sees so many applicants."

"You are Lady A. 'Iggins, I believe," said the policeman impassively.
"Well, my lady, may I ask you whether you are aware thet the cherecter
in question was seen to leave your 'ouse last night, at nine forty-five
P.M., after the warning of approaching enemy atteck was given, and to
disappear in an easterly direction, on a miniature 'eavier than air
machine, make and number unknown?"

The threads of curious smoke in the fireplace were increasing. They
shivered as though with laughter, and flowed like crimped hair up the
chimney.

"I had a dinner-party last night certainly," stammered Lady Arabel. A
trembling seized the sock she was knitting. She had turned the heel some
time ago, but in the present stress had forgotten all about the toe. The
prolonged sock grew every minute more and more like a drain-pipe with a
bend in it. "Why yes, of course I had a dinner-party; why shouldn't I?
My son Rrchud, a private in the London Rifles, this young lady, Miss
Angela--er--, and her friend--such a good quiet creature...."

"And 'oo else was in the 'ouse?" asked the policeman, glancing haughtily
at the witch.

"Oh nobody, nobody. The servants all gave notice and left--too dretfully
tahsome how they can't stand Rrchud and his ways. Of course there was
the orchestra--twenty-five pieces--but _so_ dependable."

"Dependable," said the witch, "is a mystery word to me. I can't think
how it got into the English language without being right. Surely
Depend-on-able----"

"Your son 'as peculiar ways, you say, my lady," interrupted the
policeman.

"Oh, nothing to speak of," answered Lady Arabel, wincing. "Merely
lighthearted ... too dretfully Bohemian ... ingenious, you know, in
making experiments ... magnetism...."

"Experiments in Magnetism," spelt the policeman aloud into his notebook.
"And 'oo left your 'ouse at nine forty-five P.M. last night?"

"I did," said the witch.

The policeman withered her once more with a glance.

"Lady 'Iggins, did you say your son left your 'ouse at nine forty-five
P.M. last night?"

"Yes, but----"

"Thenk you, my lady."

"You seem to me dretfully impertinent," said Lady Arabel. "This is not a
court of law. My son Rrchud left the house with me and our guest to seek
shelter from the raid."