Good, said the judge. He sat up and peered at Adrian. There is just one more thing, he said. I wonder if you could see your way to accede me a minor request?
Certainly, my lord, said Adrian.
I would very much like to see the elephant in question, said the judge, adding shyly, you see I have never seen an elephant.
Certainly, my lord, said Adrian. I am going to go and tell her the good news now, if your lordship would like to join me.
Splendid, squeaked the judge. I will meet you outside in a few minutes, Mr. Rookwhistle.
He leapt out of his chair as the court rose, and scuttled out of his door.
21. THE VERDICT
Adrian stepped out of the dock feeling slightly dazed and was ushered out of the court on a wave of good-will, Sir Magnus holding him by one arm and Lord Fenneltree holding him by the other, while Mr. Filigree and Ethelbert danced about getting in everybodys way. They all ended up on the pavement outside the court and there was Samantha. She smiled at Adrian.
Im delighted you got off, she said.
Are you really? said Adrian.
Yes, she said.
Adrian stood staring at her great, green, gold-flecked eyes and felt himself going red to the roots of his hair.
I . . . Im very glad that youre glad, he said inanely.
For some reason Samantha was blushing too.
Yes, Im very glad, she said.
When you have driven that point home sufficiently, said Sir Magnus, I would suggest that we all repair to my place to have a celebratory drink.
Sir Magnus, said Samantha, we are really most grateful to you for having got Adrian and Rosy off like that.
Nonsense, said Sir Magnus. A mere bagatelle.
You know, said Lord Fenneltree, I cannot help feeling that I didnt contribute very much to your defence.
Ethelbert was convulsed with laughter to such an extent that he had to be held up by Honoria.
I think, dear boy, said Lord Fenneltree, I think, if you dont mind, I will come along with you for a few days wherever you are going. It will give my wife a little time to collect her thoughts.
Well, I know where Im going, said Adrian suddenly, with decision, I am going back to the Unicorn and Harp if the owners will have me.
And Rosy? said Mr. Filigree anxiously. You will bring Rosy, wont you?
If I may, said Adrian, looking at Samantha.
I think we can find room for you, said Samantha.
I suppose it isnt possible that you would have a small inglenook that I could occupy for a brief period? said Lord Fenneltree, staring at Samantha earnestly through his monocle.
I tell you what, said Mr. Filigree, squeaking with excitement at the thought. Why dont we all go back there? Theres plenty of room for everyone and we could have a party.
What a very excellent idea, said Sir Magnus.
The Sploshport Queen is leaving soon, said Lord Fenneltree. Well cross on her and then I will take the ladies in my landau while you all go by train.
I dont think a trains going to carry Rosy, said Adrian. No, you all go on ahead and Ill walk Rosy there.
Rubbish, my boy, said Sir Magnus waving his cane. I am on intimate terms with the station master. Im quite sure we can get Rosy fitted up, if not in a first-class carriage, at least in some portion of the train. At this point the judge, wearing to Adrians amazement a loud check suit and looking as though he had got into it by mistake, joined them. Adrian explained what the plan was and the judge blinked wistfully at Samantha.
I suppose, Lord Turvey, said Samantha tactfully, you wouldnt like to come to the Unicorn and Harp as well?
My dear child, said the judge, I would be absolutely enchanted. It so happens that I have not got to dispense justice for several days and a little rest in the country would do me a world of good.
Excellent, said Sir Magnus. It will give me an opportunity to discuss the next case with you!
I dont know whether that would be very ethical, said the judge.
Well, theres scarcely any point in your coming unless you are going to discuss the case with me, said Sir Magnus.
Well, in that case, said the judge, I suppose it will be all right.
Reluctantly leaving Honoria, Black Nell and Samantha with Lord Fenneltree, Adrian, accompanied by Sir Magnus, Lord Turvey, Mr. Pucklehammer, Ethelbert and Mr. Filigree, went back to Sir Magnuss house.
As soon as they arrived Adrian rushed to the stable and was greeted by a delighted squeal from Rosy.
Well, you miserable, destructive, drunken creature, he shouted affectionately, throwing his arms around her trunk and giving her a hug, weve got off scot free.
Rosy, who had not been particularly worried about the outcome of the case, nevertheless realised that Adrian was in good spirits and so she flapped her ears and squeaked again.
Fascinating, said the judge, who had followed Adrian into the stable and was standing at Rosys rear end gazing up at her. Sir Magnus was quite right about that trunk never being able to reach the chandelier.
Thats the tail, said Adrian. The trunks this end.
Oh, said the judge. He fumbled in his pocket and produced a pair of lorgnettes which he put up to his eyes and peered through them with considerable interest at Rosys backside.
Youre absolutely right, he said. Its got hairs on the end.
He walked round to the front and peered at Rosy through his lorgnettes.
Fascinating, he said. Absolutely fascinating.
Well, come along, said Sir Magnus impatiently bustling into the stable. If we dont get going well miss the boat.
So Adrian grasped Rosys ear and, followed by his retinue, led Rosy down to the docks. The voyage was uneventful except for sea shanties sung by Sir Magnus and the judge. When they landed at the other side the ladies were left with Lord Fenneltree and the others made haste to the station.
Here, by dint of much roaring and cajoling on the part of Sir Magnus, they eventually hitched an open wagon to the three forty-five to Monkspepper. Rosy entered it without any fuss whatsoever.
Now, said Sir Magnus, looking at the station master, chairs, Bert, chairs.
Chairs, Sir Magnus? said the station master, bewildered. What sort of chairs?
Chairs, man. Out of the waiting-room, said Sir Magnus. Something to sit on.
But arent you travelling in a compartment, Sir Magnus? asked the station master.
Of course not, said Sir Magnus. If this truck is good enough for Rosy, its good enough for me. All I want is a chair to sit on.
The flurried station master procured a bench and two chairs from the waiting-room and these were installed alongside Rosy in the truck. Then Ethelbert, Mr. Pucklehammer and Adrian sat themselves down on the bench and Sir Magnus perched scowling on one chair and the judge on the other. Sir Magnus took a gigantic pinch of snuff, sneezed and said to the station master, All right, Bert, you can let her go now.
The fact that the train was already twenty minutes overdue and most of the passengers exceedingly restive had apparently escaped his attention. The station master, mopping his brow, blew a tremulous blast on his whistle, waved his green flag and the train shuffled and clanked and swayed its way out into the countryside.
It was a beautiful hot summers day and everywhere was green and gold and the sky was as blue an Siamese cats eye. It amazed Adrian that they could, in the short space of a couple of hours, whisk themselves across the many tedious miles of countryside that he had tramped with Rosy. They got out at the little country station for the village of Parsons Farthing, and walked a mile and a half down the dusty road to the Unicorn and Harp.