The lieutenant frowned doubtfully at Mr. Pyecroft, hesitated, then nodded to Matilda.  The latter, relieved of the pressure of much policial avoirdupois, slipped from the room.  The lieutenant turned and silently held a penetrating gaze upon the empty clothes-hooks.  Mr. Pyecroft continued to look imperturbably and pleasantly upon the four officers.  And under the bedclothes Mrs. De Peyster saw wild visions of Mr. Pyecroft being the next moment exposed, and herself dragged forth to shame.

Thus for a minute or two.  Then Judge Harvey appeared in the doorway.

“Lieutenant Sullivan!  See here, what’s the meaning of this?” he demanded sternly.

“’Evening, Judge Harvey,” began the lieutenant, for the first time since his entrance removing his derby.  “It’s like this—­”

“Pardon me,” interrupted Mr. Pyecroft.  “Judge Harvey, these gentlemen here have been upon the point of making a blunder that would be ludicrous did it not have its serious side.  That’s why I had you called.  The fact is, they desire to arrest me.”

“Arrest you!” exclaimed the Judge.

“Yes, arrest me,” Mr. Pyecroft went on, easily, yet under his easy words trying to suggest certain definite contingencies.  “That would be bad enough in itself.  But, as you know, Judge Harvey, my arrest would unfortunately but necessarily involve the arrest of several other quite innocent persons—­bring about a great public scandal—­and create a situation that would be deplorable in every particular.  You see that, Judge?”

Judge Harvey got the covered meaning.

“I see.  But what do they want to arrest you for?”

“On a most absurd charge,” answered Mr. Pyecroft, smiling,—­but eyes straight into Judge Harvey’s eyes.  “They seem to think I am Thomas Preston.”

“Thomas Preston!” cried the Judge.

“Yes, the man that forged those Jefferson letters you bought.”

Mr. Pyecroft saw the puzzled semi-recognition that he had observed in the Judge’s face the night before flash into amazed, full recognition.  Quickly but without appearance of haste, he stepped forward diverting attention from the Judge’s face, and made himself the center of the party’s eyes.

“You see, lieutenant and officers,” he said easily, filling in time to give Judge Harvey opportunity to recover and think—­and still aiming his meaning at the Judge, “you see, I have here summoned before you the best possible witness to my identity.  You threaten to arrest and expose me and two other persons in this house.  Judge Harvey knows, as well as I know, how unfortunate it would be for these parties, and how displeasing to Mrs. De Peyster, if you should make the very great blunder of arresting me as Thomas Preston.  Now, Judge Harvey,”—­with a joking smile,—­“you know who I am.  Will you please inform the lieutenant whether I am the man you wish to have arrested?”

Judge Harvey stared, silent, his face twitching.