"And now that we have settled this little matter," said the Consul, "there is nothing left for us but to express our unbounded gratitude to—well, to the elephant for reuniting us all, and start once more on our honeymoons; for which this train is mighty convenient."
"I have a word to say about that," cried the mayor. "I'm by no means satisfied about the ownership of this elephant. I've been given to understand that it belongs to Lady Melton. Is this so?"
"Yes," said the Consul and Mr. and Mrs. Scarsdale.
"No," said Mrs. Allingford, Carrington, Tom, and the original owner, in one and the same breath.
"I say, Bob, did you steal it after all?" queried the graceless Richard.
"I took it in payment of a debt," replied his brother hotly.
"Only twenty pounds!" groaned the elephant man. "It's as good as a steal!"
"And I gave it to Lady Melton," continued the Consul, "in payment for my board and lodging."
"And she gave it to me," said Mrs. Allingford.
"I lost my lord at the place of docks," wailed the mahout.