But the bluecoats would not see it that way.  Miss Vernon was compelled to climb down from the seat and march indignantly into the desk sergeant’s presence.  Hugh at once began to explain and to expostulate against what he called an outrage.

“What had we to do with it?  The truth is, I don’t know what has happened,” he was saying.

“Neither do I,” said the bewhiskered sergeant shortly.  “Who are you, sir?”

“These people saw the whole thing, sir.  They were in the hansom when Bernhardt smashed him, an’ this felly had ordered him to get to Sherry’s in five minutes if he had to kill some one,” explained the officer who had first addressed Hugh in the crowd.

“That’s a lie,” cried Hugh.  “I said if he had to kill the old plug.  Who is Bernhardt?  What the deuce is it all about?”

“I don’t believe the gentleman saw the row,” said the polite roundsman.  “It happened in the crush there.”

“Somebody shall pay for this outrage,” exclaimed Ridgeway.  “It’s beastly to drag a lady and gentleman into a police station like common criminals when they—­”

“That will do, sir,” commanded the sergeant sharply.  “You’ll talk when you are asked to, sir.”

Turning to the patrolman, he asked, “Has that fellow been taken to the hospital?”

“The ambulance came up just as we left, sir.”

“Bernhardt says he didn’t hit him.  He says the guy fell off his own cab.”

“Don’t cry, dear,” Hugh managed to whisper to Grace as they took the seats designated by a brusque man in blue.

“Never!” she whispered bravely.  “It’s a lark!”

“Bravo!  We’ll have that bird yet—­at Sherry’s.”  Then he approached the desk with determination in his eye.  “Look here, officer, I demand respectful attention.  Whatever it was that happened between those cabmen, I had nothing to do with it, and I am absolutely ignorant of the trouble.  We have a dinner engagement, and I want you to take our statements, or whatever it is you want, and let us go our way.”

“What is your name?” shortly.

“Why—­er—­that isn’t necessary, is it?” floundered Hugh.

“Of course it is.  Name, please.”

“Will it get into the papers?”

“That’s nothin’ to me.  Will you answer now, or do you want to stay here till mornin’?”

“My name is Smith.”

“Place of residence?”

“Brooklyn.”

“Who’s the lady?”

“My sister.”

“Step up here, lady, if you please!”

Hugh felt the floor giving away beneath him.  That Grace could not have heard a word of the foregoing examination, he was perfectly aware.  Vainly, and with a movement of his lips, he essayed to convey the name she should answer.

“Don’t butt in, you!” was the instant warning given by the observant officer, and then—­

“Lady, what is your name?”

For a moment the question bewildered the girl.  With considerable misgiving she discerned that another occasion for prevarication was unavoidable, and something like a sigh escaped her lips; but as suddenly fear gave way to a feeling of elation.  How clever Hugh would consider her remembrance of his instructions!  What felicity to extricate him from this predicament!  Alone, she would save the situation!