“I see,” said Major Peruke. “I suppose you want him to give the casting-vote. If he says a woman was driving, you’ll call the lady. If he says a man was driving——”
“Well, sir,” said Bloke uneasily, “we mus’ do our best. The Commissioner’s orders——”
“Assume he says that the driver of the coupé was a man. Very good. In that case you call that gentleman. Supposing the defence were to get hold of Mrs. Peruke.”
“We mus’ ’ope they wouldn’t, sir.”
“But they have,” said Derry. “In fact, they’ve got hold of them both: and whichever one you don’t want they’re going to call.”
The constable stared at the speaker with starting eyes.
Then he glanced round wildly.
Virginia and Captain Chase were nodding confirmatively.
“But the summons ain’t issued,” he cried. “There ain’t no defence—not yet. Why, the coopy don’t even know that its number was took.”
“Oh yes, it do—doth,” said Derry. “You told us as much—just now. ‘Whose number I afterwards ascertained to be XL 9436.’ ”