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 not censorious, but—well, that fine at Bow Street?'

'I was a mere boy,' said I, with some warmth, 'and my solicitor grossly mismanaged the case.'

'Well, well!' said he soothingly. 'But haven't you spent a great deal of time at Monte Carlo?'

'A man must be somewhere,' said I.

Rhadamanthus scratched his nose.

'I should have wasted the money anyhow,' I added.

'I suppose you would,' he conceded. 'But what of this caveat lodged by the Dowager Lady Mickleham? That's rather serious, you know; isn't it now—joking apart?'

'I am disappointed,' I remarked, 'to find a man of your experience paying any attention to such an ill-natured old woman.'

'We have our rules,' he replied, 'and I'm afraid, Mr. Carter, that until that caveat is removed

'You don't mean that?'

'Really, I'm afraid so.'

'Then I may as well go back,' said I, taking my hat.

At this moment there was a knock at the door.

'Although I can't oblige you with an order of admission,' said Rhadamanthus very civilly, 'perhaps it would amuse you to listen to a case or two. There's no hurry, you know. You've got lots of time before you.'

'It will be an extremely interesting experience,' said I, sitting down again.