Bravo, Professor! Does you credit, that theory of yours! Most ingenious! Must have been burglars, of course! With gout in all their four legs—eh, Mrs. Futvoye?

[Mrs. Futvoye regards him with puzzled displeasure.

Horace.

[In Pringle's ear.] Will you hold your confounded tongue!

Mrs. Wackerbath.

[To the Professor.] The wretches! But what a mercy that you weren't disturbed!

Pringle.

Oh, the Professor wasn't disturbed—not he! "Preserved perfect calm and self-control from first to last"—didn't you, Professor?

Professor Futvoye.

[Acidly.] As I was sound asleep during the whole business, sir, I presume I did.