By the time I had bestowed the terrier under lock and key and returned to the church, Madrigal was signing her maiden name for the last time.
Five days later Berry received the following letter:—
Sir,
Mr. Douglas Bladder of The Vines, Swete Rowley, has handed us your communication of the twenty-third inst.
We are instructed to say that, while there is no doubt that its number is LF 8057, Mr. Bladder's car did not leave the garage upon the day of the accident in which you were concerned, for the reason that he and his chauffeur were engaged in overhauling the engine.
It is therefore obvious that a mistake has been made, and that unless some other car was bearing his number, which you will agree is improbable, in the natural confusion of the moment the letters or figures or both upon the offender's number-plate were misread.
Our client wishes us to add that, while the tone of your letter is not such as he is accustomed to, he appreciates that it was written while you were smarting under a sense of grave injury, and was indeed intended for somebody other than himself.
Yours faithfully,
BERTHEIM AND GROWTH.