hat, he asked, did the jury think? They were men of
the world. Candidly, had they ever seen such a chauffeur and footman
before? Did they look like servants? Of course they had Mr.
Bumble's--their master's--confidence. _But had they the jury's?_ He
did not wish to usurp the functions of the cinema or the stage, but it
was his duty to remind them that sometimes Truth was stranger than
Fiction.... Here were two servants, who were obviously not servants at
all, giving such overwhelming satisfaction that they were allowed
unheard-of liberty--liberty which afforded unrivalled opportunities....
"Out till four in the morning, gentlemen. A latch-key to let them in.
A motor-car at their disposal. And now--leaving this comfortable--this
perfect situation. Why? No answer. _Is it because the game is up,
gentlemen?_ ..."

His lordship, who in his time had seen many juries befooled, summed up
rather wearily, and at twenty-five minutes to one Mr. Morgan was found
"Not guilty."

That the latter should greet the verdict with a gesture of derision
verged, all things considered, upon indecency. It is good to think
that the warder who hustled him from the dock, and played full-back for
the prison, made this as clear as daylight.

* * * * *

Valerie left the court in some annoyance. She was annoyed that Anthony
had been lessened, and she was annoyed to find that she cared whether
he had been lessened or not. She would also have liked to know the
reason for his proposed departure. Undoubtedly it had to do with Anne
Alison. His very reticence proved it. Perhaps she was going, too....
Anne Alison.... At the very thought of the girl, Valerie's resentment
welled up anew. Jealousy knows no law. The reflection that it was at
her instance that Anthony had gone as footman to the house where Anne
was housemaid rode her with a harsh and merciless hand. Often enough,
sunk in most bitter contemplation of this fact, she got no further.

That she got no further to-day was due to a timely
interruption--nothing less, in fact, than a snort of an intensity too
clamorous to be ignored.

Valerie looked up.

"At last," said Lady Touchstone with some asperity. "That's the
fourth."

"The fourth what?" said Valerie.

"The fourth snort," said her aunt. "I don't know what's the matter
with you nowadays. To snort at all, I must be profoundly moved. You
know that as well as I do."

"What's the matter?" s