CHAPTER XV
THE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
Abel Force began to peruse the document and frowned as he went on. And well he might!
For it was no less than a writ of habeas corpus, issued by a judge of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, ordering Abel Force to produce the body of Odalite Anglesea, otherwise Odalite Force, before him the next morning, April 2, at 10 o’clock.
Abel Force, as has been seen, was a law-abiding man. On this trying occasion, under this galling insult, he commanded himself with wonderful power.
“Very well,” he said. “You have done your duty. I will obey the order. Take that man away with you. He has committed a gross breach of the peace; but let that pass for the present.”
At this moment Col. Anglesea came up and said:
“I will meet you before the judge to-morrow morning. For the present, having seen the writ of habeas corpus served upon you, I withdraw. Good-evening, sir. Ladies, good-evening.”
And with as courtly a bow as if he were leaving the drawing room of a duchess, Col. Anglesea went out, followed by the policemen.
“Now be still, Le! This shall be settled equitably to-morrow. For the present nothing more can be done,” said Mr. Force, as with a long breath of relief he at length released his prisoner.
But Le was no sooner free than he dashed out of the room and out of the house in pursuit of his enemy.