"You're not under notice to leave your present place?"
"Yes," said Anthony, "I am."
Despite herself, Valerie French started, and the chauffeur at the back of the court stared at the witness wide-eyed. The court, which had almost lost interest, pricked up its ears. Hardly disguising his relief, counsel proceeded to develop the impression in his own time-honoured way. Turning his back upon the witness, he elevated his eyebrows and then smiled very pleasantly upon a ventilator immediately above the jury-box.
"Really?" he said. "This is most interesting. Under notice, are you?
Dear me…. Why?"
"I have given notice myself."
"Oh, indeed. Why?"
"For private reasons."
Counsel appeared to find this answer so highly diverting that after a moment's hesitation the jury joined in his merriment. As the titter subsided—
"I'm afraid," said Mr. Blink apologetically, "I'm afraid I can't take that."
Anthony paled.