"Oh, that's all right," said Lord Peter cheerfully; "I'll look him up in quod. Y'know it's rather a good idea to keep one's crimes in the family; one has so many more facilities. I'm sorry for poor old Polly, though. How is she?"
"She must not be disturbed to-day," said the Duchess with decision.
"Not a bit of it," said Lord Peter; "she'll keep. To-day Parker and I hold high revel. To-day he shows me all the bloody footprints--it's all right, Helen, that's not swearin', that's an adjective of quality. I hope they aren't all washed away, are they, old thing?"
"No," said Parker, "I've got most of them under flower-pots."
"Then pass the bread and squish," said Lord Peter, "and tell me all about it."
The departure of the church-going element had induced a more humanitarian atmosphere. Mrs
