Two days before the case was down for hearing the advance reporter of an
important syndicate obtained an interview with the Duke for the purpose
of gleaning some final grains of information concerning his Grace's
personal arrangements during the trial.

"I suppose I may say this will be one of the biggest affairs of its kind
during the lifetime of a generation," began the reporter as an excuse for
the unsparing minuteness of detail that he was about to make quest for.

"I suppose so--if it comes off," said the Duke lazily.

"If?" queried the reporter, in a voice that was something between a gasp
and a scream.

"The Duchess and I are both thinking of going on strike," said the Duke.

"Strike!"

The baleful word flashed out in all its old hideous familiarity. Was
there to be no end to its recurrence?

"Do you mean," faltered the reporter, "that you are contemplating a
mutual withdrawal of the charges?"

"Precisely," said the Duke.

"But think of the arrangements that have been made, the special
reporting, the cinematographs, the catering for the distinguished foreign
witnesses, the prepared music-hall allusions; think of all the money that
has been sunk--"