I am, sir,
Your obedient servant,
Frederick Boleton.
I stroked my chin thoughtfully. Then—
"I don't want to say anything rash," said I, "but it looks as if a mistake had been made."
"But what a brain!" observed my brother-in-law. "What insight!" He glanced at his watch. "And it's not half-past nine yet."
"It is wonderful, isn't it? Now, all we want is a line from Diana St. Martin to say how glad she is you're going to the lecture on January the 3rd. Do you agree, brother?"
"I am not here," said Berry loftily, "to discuss your crime. Have you anything to say why the Court should not give you judgment?"
"Yes. First, this communication must be answered forthwith. Secondly, Mr. Boleton is clearly a menace to Society. It is therefore our painful duty, brother, to proceed with the operation, inadvertently begun, of pulling his leg until he will require a pair of field glasses to see his own foot."
With a grin Berry clapped me on the back.