“This lecture thing?” said I, holding up a gilt-edged card.

My sister nodded.

“We’ll have to go, I suppose.”

In a flowing hand I wrote as follows—­

Major and Mrs. Pleydell have much pleasure in accepting the Countess of Loganberry’s kind invitation to attend Professor La Trobe’s lecture on the 3rd of January.

When I had read this aloud—­

“What an interesting subject!” said Berry.  “We shall enjoy ourselves.”

* * * * *

Three days later I was in the act of fitting a new blade to my safety-razor, when Berry entered the room fully dressed.

“I’m just off,” he said, “but you may as well see what you’ve done before I go.”

“What d’you mean?” said I.

“Read that.”

He handed me a letter.  I laid down my instrument of torture and read as follows—­

SIR,

I am directed by the Countess of Loganberry to acknowledge your communication of the 20th inst., and to say that she cannot recollect the inclusion of your name among those of the guests invited to assemble at Pride Langley the day after to-morrow.

In these circumstances I am to express the hope that you will not trouble to favour her with your attendance upon the 24th inst. or any other date, and that you will take immediate steps to prevent the dispatch of your luggage and of the four parasites, for which, should they arrive, she can accept no responsibility.

I am to add that the Countess is not interested in the acquisition of the animal to which you refer, or in the nature of the victuals with which it is your habit to console yourself of nights.

I am, sir,

Your obedient servant,

FREDERICK BOLETON.

I stroked my chin thoughtfully.  Then—­

“I don’t want to say anything rash,” said I, “but it looks as if a mistake had been made.”

“But what a brain!” observed my brother-in-law.  “What insight!” He glanced at his watch.  “And it’s not half-past nine yet.”

“It is wonderful, isn’t it?  Now, all we want is a line from Diana St. Martin to say how glad she is you’re going to the lecture on January the 3rd.  Do you agree, brother?”

“I am not here,” said Berry loftily, “to discuss your crime.  Have you anything to say why the Court should not give you judgment?”

“Yes.  First, this communication must be answered forthwith.  Secondly, Mr. Boleton is clearly a menace to Society.  It is therefore our painful duty, brother, to proceed with the operation, inadvertently begun, of pulling his leg until he will require a pair of field glasses to see his own foot.”

With a grin Berry clapped me on the back.

“I leave it to you, partner.  Make the telegram windy.  Wind always inspires wind.”  He took the letter out of my hand and slipped it into his pocket.  “You won’t want this document.  And now I must be going.  See you to-morrow, laddie.”