Page:Rudyard Kipling - A diversity of creatures.djvu/305

Rh 'Then Walen whirls in. He'd been bitin' his nails in a corner. We was all nerved up by now. . . . Me? The worst of the bunch. I had to think for Tommy as well.

We can't be tried," says Walen. "We mustn't be tried! It'll make an infernal international stink. What did I tell you in the smoking-room after lunch? The tension's at breaking-point already. This 'ud snap it. Can't you see that?"

' "I was thinking of the legal aspect of the case," says Lundie. "With a good jury we'd likely be acquitted."

' "Acquitted!" says Walen. "Who'd dare acquit us in the face of what 'ud be demanded by—the other party? Did you ever hear of the War of Jenkins' ear? 'Ever hear of Mason and Slidell? 'Ever hear of an ultimatum? You know who these two idiots are; you know who we are—a Lord of Appeal, a Viscount of the English peerage, and me—me knowing all I know, which the men who know dam' well know that I do know! It's our necks or Armageddon. Which do you think this Government would choose? We can't be tried!" he says.

Then I expect I'll have to resign me club," Lundie goes on. "I don't think that's ever been done before by an ex-officio member. I must ask the secretary." I guess he was kinder bunkered for the minute, or maybe 'twas the lordship comin' out on him.

Rot!" says Mankeltow. "Walen's right. We can't afford to be tried. We'll have to bury