you get in bed and take a
good night's sleep and you'll feel better. Because if you don't it's
goin' to be necessary for me to run you in for a public nuisance. I
ain't askin' you--I'm tellin' you, now. If you don't want to be locked
up, start movin'--that's my last word to you."

The recent merrymakers, who had fallen silent the better to hear the
dialogue, grouped themselves expectantly, hoping and waiting for a yet
more exciting and humorous sequel to what had gone before--if such a
miracle might be possible. Nor were they to be disappointed. The
denouement came quickly upon the heels of the admonition.

For into Mr. Leary's reeling and distracted mind the warning had sent a
clarifying idea darting. Why hadn't he thought of a police station
before now? Perforce the person in charge at any police station would be
under requirement to shelter him. What even if he were locked up
temporarily? In a cell he would be safe from the slings and arrows of
outrageous ridicule; and surely among the functionaries in any station
house would be one who would know a gentleman in distress, however
startlingly the gentleman might be garbed. Surely, too, somebody--once
that somebody's amazement had abated--would he willing to do some
telephoning for him. Perhaps, even, a policeman off duty might be
induced to take his word for it that he was what he really was, and not
what he seemed to be, and loan him a change of clothing.

Hot upon the inspiration Mr. Leary decided on his course of action. He
would get himself safely and expeditiously removed from the hateful
company and the ribald comments of the Lawrence P. McGillicuddys and
their friends. He would get himself locked up--that was it. He would now
take the first steps in that direction.

"Are you goin' to start on home purty soon like I've just been tellin'
you; or are you ain't?" snapped Patrolman Switzer, who, it would appear,
was by no means a patient person.

"I am not!" The crafty Mr. Leary put volumes of husky defiance into his
answer. "I'm not going home--and you can't make me go home, either." He
rejoiced inwardly to see how the portly shape of Switzer stiffened and
swelled at the taunt. "I'm a citizen and I have a right to go where I
please, dressed as I please, and you don't dare to stop me. I defy you
to arrest me!" Suddenly he put both his hands in Patrolman Switzer's
fleshy midriff and gave him a violent shove. An outraged grunt went up
from Switzer, a delighted w