MR. POSKET.

That's true--it is hard, when the police are doing anything, that they should be obstructed.

_LUGG enters._

LUGG.

[_Attempting to conceal some annoyance._] Your necktie, sir.

MR. POSKET.

S-ssh!

MR. WORMINGTON.

[_To himself._] Then he _came_ without one--dear me!

LUGG.

[_Clapping down a paper parcel on the table._] As near like Mr.

Wormington's as possible--brighter if anything.

MR. POSKET.

[_Opening the parcel, and finding a very common, gaudy neckkerchief._]

Good gracious! What a horrible affair!

LUGG.

According to my information, sir--like Mr. Wormington's.

MR. POSKET.

Mr. Wormington would never be seen in such an abominable colour.

MR. WORMINGTON.

Well--really--I--[_Removing the handkerchief from his throat._] I am extremely sorry.

MR. POSKET.

My dear Wormington!

MR. WORMINGTON.

I happen to be wearing something similar--the first time for five-and-twenty years.

MR. POSKET.

Oh, I beg your pardon. [_To himself._] Everything seems against me.

LUGG.

One-and-nine it come to, sir. [_Producing the paper packet of money and laying it upon the table._] And I brought back all the money you gave me, thinking you'd like to look over it quietly. Really, sir, I never showed up smaller in any shop in all my life!

MR. POSKET.

Upon my word. First one and then another! What _is_ wrong with the money. [_Opens the packet._] Twopence! [_To himself._] That man Wyke will tell all to Agatha! Oh, everything is against me.

[_LUGG has opened the door, taken a card from some one outside, and handed it to MR. WORMINGTON._

MR. WORMINGTON.

From cell No. 3.

[_Handing the card to MR. POSKET._

MR. POSKET.

[_Reading._] "Dear Posket, for the love of goodness see me before the sitting of the Court. Alexander Lukyn." Poor dear Lukyn! What on earth shall I do?

MR. WORMINGTON.

Such a course would be most unusual.

MR. POSKET.

Everything is unusual. Your cravat is unusual. This prisoner is invited to dine at my house to-day--that's peculiar. He is my wife's first husband's only child's G.o.d-father--that's a little out of the ordinary.

MR. WORMINGTON.

The charge is so serious!

MR. POSKET.

But I am a man as well as a magistrate, advise me, Wormington, advise me!

MR. WORMINGTON.

Well--you can apply to yourself for permission to grant Colonel Lukyn's request.

MR. POSKET.

[_Hastily scribbling on LUKYN'S card._] I do--I do--and after much conflicting argument I consent to see Colonel Lukyn here, immediately.

[_Handing the card to MR. WORMINGTON who pa.s.ses it to LUGG, who then goes out._] Don't leave me, Wormington--you must stand by me to see that I remain calm, firm, and judicial. [_He hastily puts on the red necktie in an untidy manner._] Poor Lukyn, I must sink the friend in the magistrate, and in dealing with his errors apply the scourge to myself. [_To MR. WORMINGTON._] Wormington, tap me on the shoulder when I am inclined to be more than usually unusual.

[_MR. WORMINGTON stands behind him, and LUGG enters with LUKYN.

LUKYN'S dress-clothes are much soiled and disordered, and he, too, has a small strip of plaster upon the bridge of his nose. There is a constrained pause, LUKYN and MR. POSKET both cough._