The last words I heard were the whisper caution of the policeman:
“No one has seen you or us. Go back to your bed and pretend you were never out,” and then they drove off again.
I took the advice, slipped off my boots, and stole upstairs. My wife was still sleeping, so I undressed and got into bed. Lest I should wake her, I pretended to sleep, and soon despite my mental agitation, slept, too.
* * *
I was awakened by my wife, who was up and dressed.
“Why, Augustus, you are desperately sleepy this morning. It is after 10 o’clock, and breakfast is over long ago. Cousin Jemima would not wait. However, your breakfast is kept hot.”
I woke to broad consciousness, but thought it wise to feign heaviness.
“Never mind—I’ll get up presently.”
“But, my dear, you must get up now or you will miss
