“I never heard such nonsense!” exclaimed Miss Wiggin.  “Do let me give you some more tea!  Eh, what?”

But at that moment Willie announced that Mr. Rutherford Wells was calling to see Mr. Tutt and tea was hastily adjourned.  Half an hour later the old lawyer rang for Bonnie Doon.

“Bonnie,” he said, “one of our clients has been complained against by her next-door neighbor, a got-rich-quick lady, for obstructing the street with her motor.  It’s obviously a case of social envy, hatred and malice.  Just take a run up there in the morning, give Mrs. Pierpont Pumpelly and her premises the once-over and let me know of any violations you happen to observe.  I don’t care how technical they are, either.”

“All right, Mr. Tutt,” answered Bonnie.  “I get you.  Isn’t there a new ordinance governing the filling of garbage cans?”

“I think there is,” nodded Mr. Tutt.  “And meantime I think I’ll drop over and see Judge O’Hare.”

* * * * *

“I’ll settle her hash for her, the hussy!” declared Mrs. Pumpelly to her husband at dinner the following evening.  “I’ll teach her to insult decent people and violate the law.  Just because her husband belongs to a swell club she thinks she can do as she likes!  But I’ll show her!  Wait till I get her in court to-morrow!”

“Well, of course, Edna, I’ll stand back of you and all that,” Pierpont assured her.  “No, thank you, Simmons, I don’t wish any more ‘voly vong.’  But I’d hate to see you get all messed up in a police court!”

“Me—­messed up!” she exclaimed haughtily.  “I guess I can take care of myself most anywheres—­good and plenty!”

“Of course you can, dearie!” he protested in a soothing tone.  “But these shyster lawyers who hang around those places—­you ’member Jim O’Leary out home to Athens?  Well, they don’t know a lady when they see one, and they wouldn’t care if they did; and they’ll try and pry into your past life—­”

“I haven’t got any past life, and you know it too, Pierpont Pumpelly!” she retorted hotly.  “I’m a respectable, law-abidin’ woman, I am.  I never broke a law in all my days—­”

“Excuse me, madam,” interposed Simmons, with whom the second footman had just held a whispered conference behind the screen, “but James informs me that there is a police hofficer awaiting to see you in the front ’all.”

“To see me?” ejaculated Mrs. Pumpelly.

“Yes, madam.”

“I suppose it’s about to-morrow.  Tell him to call round about nine o’clock in the morning.”

“’E says ’e must see you to-night, ma’am,” annotated James excitedly.  “And ’e acted most hobnoxious to me!”

“Oh, he acted obnoxious, did he?” remarked Mrs. Pumpelly airily.  “What was he obnoxious about?”

“’E ’as a paper ’e says ’e wants to serve on you personal,” answered James in agitation. “’E says if you will hallow ’m to step into the dining-room ’e won’t take a minute.”