In his nervous condition he did not recall what, had he stopped calmly to consider the matter, he must have known very well—­namely, that no warrant could possibly issue unless Mrs. Pumpelly, as complainant, signed and swore to the information herself.

“Very well, sir,” answered Maddox, in the same tone and manner that he would have used had he been a second footman at Mrs. Pumpelly’s.

Thereafter both Edgertons, but particularly Wilfred, passed a miserable hour.  They realized that they had started something and they had no idea of where, how or when what they had started would stop.  Indeed they had terrifying visions of Mrs. Wells being beaten into insensibility, if not into a pulp, by a cohort of brutal police officers, and of their being held personally responsible.  But before anything of that sort actually happened Maddox returned.

“Well,” inquired Wilfred with an assumption of nonchalance, “what did you find out?”

“The magistrate said that we would have to apply at the court in the district where the offense occurred and that Mrs. Pumpelly would have to appear there in person.  Obstructing a highway is a violation of Section Two of Article Two of the Police Department Regulations for Street Traffic, which reads:  ’A vehicle waiting at the curb shall promptly give way to a vehicle arriving to take up or set down passengers.’  It is not usual to issue a warrant in such cases, but a summons merely.”

“Ah!” sighed both Edgertons in great relief.

“Upon which the defendant must appear in default of fine or imprisonment,” continued Maddox.

The two lawyers looked at one another inquiringly.

“Did they treat you—­er—­with politeness?” asked Wilfred curiously.

“Oh, well enough,” answered the clerk.  “I can’t say it’s a place I hanker to have much to do with.  It’s not like an afternoon tea party.  But it’s all right.  Do you wish me to do anything further?”

“Yes!” replied Wilfred with emphasis, “I do.  I wish you would go right up to Mrs. Pumpelly’s house, conduct that lady to the nearest police court and have her swear out the summons for Mrs. Wells herself.  I’ll telephone her that you are coming.”

Which was a wise conclusion, in view of the fact that Edna Pumpelly, nee Haskins, was much better equipped by nature to take care of Mr. Wilfred Edgerton in the hectic environs of a police court than he was qualified to take care of her.  And so it was that just as Mrs. Rutherford Wells was about to sit down to tea with several fashionable friends her butler entered, bearing upon a salver a printed paper, which he presented to her, in manner and form the following: 

    CITY MAGISTRATE’S COURT, CITY OF NEW YORK

    In the name of the people of the State of New York To “Jane” Wells,
    the name “Jane” being fictitious: