“Forgive me,” I said.  “I was preoccupied.”

The smile deepened.

“I defy you to say where we have met before.”

I continued to rack my brain feverishly, but it was no good.

“I can’t concentrate,” I said desperately.  “I can tell you where we shall meet again all right.”

“That’s not the point.  Try Madrigal’s wedding.”

“Of course.  You were one of her bridesmaids.”

“That’s better.  How’s Nobby?”

The taxi was waiting, so I opened the door.

“I’ll tell you about him at lunch.  We’ll find the others at the Savoy.”

She hesitated.

“It’s very good of you, but—–­”

“My sister,” I said gravely, “would never forgive me.”

The next moment we were rocketing past St Clement Danes.

“And now,” said I, “what have you been doing in the Palace of Lies?  What incorruptible judge have you corrupted with your smile?  What jury have you bewitched with your small mouth?  Or are you just a ward in Chancery?”

My lady smiled.

“What a pity,” she said, “you can’t remember my name!  However will you introduce me?”

“I shall call you Miss Prision of Treason,” said I, “and chance it.  And what may I say you were doing in yonder Fool’s Paradise?”

“You’re very bitter and terribly inquisitive,” said my companion.  “Still, if you must know, I came down to be taken to hear a case.  I’ve got a brother at the Bar, and the little wretch told me to meet him there, and he’d get me in to hear a motor-car case.”  I started.  “Of course he never appeared, and I—­my father was a K.C., so I’m not frightened—­I just walked in and sat down in the first court I came to.  It wasn’t very interesting, but there were three judges.  All in red, too.  By the way, what’s arson?”

“Setting fire to a house.  All on purpose like.  But tell me.  D’you know anything about the case you were to have heard?”

“Only that the head of Paul’s chambers is in it.  That’s how he knew it would be interesting.”

“Is he in Tristram’s chambers?”

“How on earth did you know?”

As she spoke the taxi drew up at the entrance to the Savoy.

“Oh, it’s our precious case.  That’s all.”  I handed her out twittering.  “Didn’t you know we’d had a smash on the day of the wedding?”

“I did hear something.  You don’t mean to say....”

I paid the driver and hurried her into the hall.

“If you want to be there,” I said, “to see us go down, you’ll have to have a pretty quick lunch.”

We joined the others to find them in a state of profound despondency.  My companion was immediately recognized by my sister and Jill, but, to my relief, Berry and Jonah were not quite so quick in the uptake.

“Came to hear our case,” I explained, “and got swep’ into the Court of Criminal Appeal.”

“Talk as you eat,” said Berry.  “Converse and masticate simultaneously.  You know.  Like you used to do before you knew me.  What’s Tristram got to say?”