Adrian sullenly shut off the power and came to a standstill. He had no desire to have his amusement ended and made an anecdote all over the Empire.
"Tell them you are on my affairs," he directed, as the two pursuing officers galloped toward them. "Or anything you choose. I will not go through a police station farce to-night, do you understand?"
Allard did laugh that time, the relief of waking to reality still tingling in his veins.
"Then I must go alone, if they insist. May I ask to take the driver's seat and claim his responsibility?"
"For what? They would take the machine. Do you expect me to walk alone to the palace?"
"Good heavens, no!" Allard exclaimed vehemently.
The two riders came panting up as Adrian replied with an expressive shrug.
"You are under arrest, messieurs," was the crisp announcement.
Allard leaned out into the light of the street lamp, taking off his mask and shaking his coat unbuttoned from top to bottom. Perhaps a memory of Rosal's admiration prompted the last move.
"For over-speeding?" he inquired sweetly.