some of them read, "Comic Opera Scene in
Court." "Amusing Case before Mr. Justice Chatty." "Ridgwell Makes all
London Laugh."

"Very uncommon name," observed the Father of Ridgwell, as he bought
some papers. Later on, in the railway carriage upon the way home, the
Father of Ridgwell first read his paper, and then promptly wiped his
eyeglasses, to assure himself that he was not dreaming.

"Good gracious!" exclaimed that worthy but astonished gentleman, "why,
it's _our_ Ridgwell!"

"What is our Ridgwell?" inquired the Mother of that hopeful.

"Our Ridgwell has been into Court, before a Judge," faltered his
perplexed Father; "has sung a song, which seems to have been a great
success. Positively gave evidence that one of the lions in Trafalgar
Square was alive, and a great friend of his, and that the animal has
occasionally given him a free ride home on his back to Balham; did you
ever hear of such a thing?"

The Mother of Ridgwell hastily perused the papers recording these
strange statements, whilst the Father of Ridgwell leaned back in the
railway carriage, endeavouring to recover his breath, and collect his
startled faculties both together.

The Mother of Ridgwell read the part describing her offspring's
performance to the end, and then observed--

"Did you see, Father, that Ridgwell declares he possessed a high Order
of Imagination, and then lost it?"

The Father of Ridgwell groaned.

"Lost it? Good gracious me, what nonsense, my dear; I should think
myself he has just found it. I'll talk to that Writer, when I see him;
he really oughtn't to be allowed about at large, any more than the
Pleasant-Faced Lion. I consider the whole history of this animal most
incredible."

CHAPTER XI

THE END OF THE MATTER

The family had just sat down to breakfast when the Writer arrived at
Balham in a taxi-cab, bearing two large cardboard dress-boxes with him.

Having deposited these articles, he was greeted by the family.

"Oh! you bad man," commenced the Mother of Ridgwell and Christine; "sit
down and have breakfast at once before you start any more of those
plausible tales of yours."

"How did you get here so early?" inquired Father.

"Took a taxi, but it wasn't half such fun as riding down here on a
Lion's back!"

Ridgwell leaned one side of his head down upon the table and laughed,
and Christine glanced round shyly.

"A fine sort of commotion you and Ridgwell have caused," protested
Father; "listen