I shall be glad for every one to drink with me.
Presently, perhaps, you had better send for an ambulance or a
doctor."
A little storm of enthusiastic excitement, evidenced for the most
part in expletives of a lurid note, covered the retreat of Sir
Timothy and his companion. Out in the street a small crowd was
rushing towards the place. A couple of policemen seemed to be
trying to make up their minds whether it was a fine night. An
inspector hurried up to them.
"What's doing in 'The Rising Sun'?" he demanded sharply.
"Some one's giving Billy the Tanner a hiding," one of the
policemen replied.
"Honest?"
"A fair, ripe, knock-out hiding," was the emphatic confirmation.
"I looked in at the window."
The inspector grinned.
"I'm glad you had the sense not to interfere," he remarked.
Sir Timothy and his companion reached the car. The latter took a
seat by the chauffeur. Sir Timothy stepped in. It struck him
that Lady Cynthia was a little breathless. Her eyes, too, were
marvellously bright. Wrapped around her knees was the
chauffeur's coat.
"Wonderful!" she declared. "I haven't had such a wonderful five
minutes since I can remember! You are a dear to have brought me,
Sir Timothy."
"What do you mean?" he demanded.
"Mean?" she laughed, as the car swung around and they glided
away.
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