Part 18 (2/2)

”I will act at once,” declared the proprietor. ”This is a respectable house, and such proceedings cannot be tolerated. Good gracious! It would endanger my license!”

”And your soul,” said Miss Grey solemnly.

”I beg your pardon, miss?” said the proprietor.

”_And_ your soul,” repeated Miss Grey.

”Oh, yes, to be sure--of course, my soul, miss. As it was, I had a bother about it last year--my license, I mean, miss. I'll go to Mr.

Lester at once.”

The proprietor was a nervous, bashful man, and when he found himself standing before the Lesters and Captain Petrie, as they drank their after-luncheon coffee, he was much embarra.s.sed. At last he managed to indicate that he wished to speak to Mr. Lester alone.

”Oh, nonsense!” said Charlie. ”Go on. What's the matter?”

The proprietor nerved himself for the effort. After all, if these people were not ashamed for themselves, why should he blush for them? Looking sternly at Charlie, he began to formulate his accusation. He had not got far before Maggie gave a little shriek of amazement; and the captain, jumping up, seized him by the collar, and exclaimed:

”What do you mean, you little rascal? What's this scandalous nonsense you've got hold of?” and the captain shook his host severely.

”I am not to be bullied, sir,” said the proprietor stoutly. ”I have excellent authority for what I say, and----”

”Whose authority?”

The proprietor vouched Miss Grey and the fifth lady.

”We must look into this,” said the captain.

Maggie, who was blus.h.i.+ng severely, but was not without a secret tendency to convulsive laughter, was prevailed upon to accompany them, and the four proceeded to the drawing room, where the Inquisition sat enthroned on the sofa, Miss Grey presiding. Miss Grey rose with a gesture of horror.

”Not gone yet?” she exclaimed.

”No, ma'am,” said the captain; ”we want to hear your story first.”

”Have you no shame?” demanded Miss Grey of Maggie.

”Never mind that, ma'am,” said the captain; ”let's have the story first.”

Miss Grey cast an appealing glance at the ceiling, and began: ”With my own ears I heard it. Mrs. Britson [Mrs. Britson was the fifth lady] will confirm what I say. With my own ears I heard Captain Petrie relate to Mr. Lester--to this person's brother--that he had had an interview with this person when this person was entirely----” Miss Grey paused for a moment, gathered her courage, and added in an awestruck whisper, ”disrobed.”

A shudder ran through the audience. The culprits' faces expressed real or simulated astonishment.

”If I must put it plainly,” pursued Miss Grey--and at this several ladies opened their fans and held them before their faces--”Captain Petrie said that Miss Lester--that person--had nothing on, and that when he reminded her of it she stated that the circ.u.mstance was immaterial.

Subsequently, at luncheon, the young woman herself admitted the fact in the hearing of Mrs. Britson. If that is not enough----”

It apparently was enough, for Charlie Lester threw himself into an armchair with a wild shriek of laughter. Maggie's slight figure shook convulsively as she hid her face in her handkerchief, and Captain Petrie, after a moment's blank amazement, cried out:

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