"As your son-in-law, may I remark that a few minutes' conversation with a lawyer will enable you to correct two misstatements in the rest of your description?
There was no conspiracy, and the ceremony was unquestionably legal." The Earl gave him one searching and envenomed look, and appealed forthwith to the detective.
"I charge that man with abduction and personation," he cried, and his voice grew husky with wrath.

"There can be no gainsaying the facts.
My daughter, it is true, had arranged a marriage with a Monsieur Jean de Courtois.

It was provisionally fixed to take place this evening at eight o'clock, but, by some means not known to me, the marriage license came into the hands of this admitted law-breaker, and he evidently persuaded a foolish and impetuous girl to accept him instead of de Courtois.

I am not an authority on the laws of the State of New York, but I stake my reputation on the belief that a flagrant offense has been committed against the social ordinances of any well regulated community.

I now call on you to arrest him, or, if official process is needed, to direct me to the proper authority." "Have you any proof of the charge ?" said Steingall, who had not failed to observe Curtis's air of unconcern under the Earl's fiery denunciation.
"Proof in plenty," came the snarling answer.