"I don't think I've ever seen ye afore, sir."
"Maybe ye have not. We shall see to-morrow."
"What do ye mean by to-morrow, sir?" ventured Carstares uneasily.
"Sure, ye will have the honour of appearing before me, me friend."
"Before you, sir?"
"Why not? I'm a Justice of the Peace, heaven save the mark!"
There was a breathless pause, and then at last the funny side of it struck Jack, and his shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. The exquisite irony of it was almost too much for him. He, the Earl of Wyncham, was to be formally questioned by his friend Sir Miles O'Hara, J.P.!
"What ails ye now, man? Ye find it amusing?" asked Miles, surprised.
"Oh, Lud, yes!" gasped Jack, and collapsed into his corner.