The next morning, Anthony spent a good while on the phone. Then he took a taxi to the Houses of Parliament and met several old friends who were now either MPs or had taken their seats in the House of Lords. They were all pleased to see him, listened indulgently when he spoke warmly about Paddington's plight, but were lukewarm when Anthony asked for support and assistance.
On the way home he went round to his local council offices, which was only a street away from the house, to ask whether what Mr Doolittle had told him was true. He was not prepared for their reaction to his story.
"Wot?! You got an unlicensed bear in yer 'ouse?!"
"I don't know what you mean. This bear has intelligence, he can talk. He doesn't need a licence. I don't own him. That would be tantamount to slavery."
"I don't care if he's the bleedin' King of Peru. All bears 'ave to 'ave a licence."
With that the man picked up a long pole with a lasso on the end and strode off towards Strallan House with Anthony in hot, complaining pursuit.
...
Paddington had spent the morning in his room, lying comfortably on the canopy of his four-poster bed, thanking his lucky stars that he had met Sir Anthony, and writing a letter to Aunt Lucy. When he'd finished he thought he would take a stroll to post it before Sir Anthony got back. He never saw the ripple in the rug at the top of the stairs. His paw got caught, and he fell headlong, sliding down the bannister.
Instinctively Paddington put out his arms to keep his balance as he hurtled past the landscapes of Locksley on the walls, blurred with speed, screaming around the bends in the staircase. As he passed the first floor landing he whizzed past Stewart clutching his 'trade secret' jar of bicarbonate of soda. Poor Stewart was frozen in horror as he watched the bear scythe the jar from his hands with his outstretched paw, covering his fur with the white powder.
Paddington's descent continued at an ever increasing rate until he flew off the bottom of the bannister on the ground floor, colliding squarely with Mrs Bird, Anthony's London cook and housekeeper, right in her tummy, as she came in through the front door. She dropped all the icing sugar and oranges she had fetched to make Master Paddington's new favourite cake, causing a cloud of citrus glucose to be released into the hall.
At that very moment, the council official arrived followed quickly by Anthony. They paused, shocked by the scene of destruction and devastation in front of them. Anthony murmured an astounded "What the devil...?" then Paddington pulled himself upright from the mess on the floor, foaming at the mouth from bicarbonate of soda mixed with sweetened orange juice. Before he could help Mrs Bird up and apologise to her, the council man shouted "Oh my gawd, 'e's got rabies!" and made a lunge for him with the noosed pole. Paddington panicked and ran back up the stairs to his room, followed by the council man, Anthony, and, from the first floor, Stewart. He slammed the door shut and pushed a chest of drawers in front of it to stop his pursuers. Then he gathered his few possessions into his suitcase and fled through the window.
...
The council official called for backup. Stewart firmly took charge, supervising the team of heavies who appeared five minutes later. They carefully pushed their way into Paddington's room to find it abandoned. Anthony argued, pleaded, and threatened the men, pointing to the letter Paddington had dropped as evidence that he was civilised and to Stewart's similar state to show neither were demented with illness. The men were implacable. As they left a search party was being organised and the higher authorities were being informed that there was a dangerous, infected bear on the loose in London.
Stewart and Anthony saw to Mrs Bird, who was unhurt and more worried about Paddington than anything else. Then Stewart went out on a search of his own armed with a jar or two of marmalade, while his master telephoned Matthew Crawley to ask for advice.
"Oh dear, I do hope he's all right" said the lawyer.
"So do I, Mr Crawley, so do I."
"Well, if he comes to light, even if Environmental Health take possession of him, it is possible that we could turn it to our advantage."
"How?" asked Anthony.
"The authorities will have made the first move. That allows us to challenge their action, and we go from there to the Court of Appeal. We have them on the back foot."
"But first we've got to find him. I'll keep you informed, Mr Crawley. Thank you."
Anthony replaced the receiver and sighed, rubbing his eyes with worry. He had only known Paddington a few days, but he didn't think he could cope with failing someone he cared for, and had promised to protect, again so soon after...after...
Oh Edith, if only you were here. You would have good things to suggest, and I would feel stronger with you by my side. How are you faring, I wonder. Better than me, I'm sure...I hope. You would not have taken in a lost bear just because you were so lonely and so sorry for him. You would have been much more practical.
Anthony shook himself.
Come on, man. This isn't like you to wallow in self pity. It won't do Paddington any good. Might he have left a sign, I wonder? It all happened so quickly, but he's a clever bear.
Anthony went up to Paddington's room and looked around more calmly than when he was there with the council men. The bed had not been slept in. That concerned Anthony until he noticed the indentations in the canopy. He smiled with relief, then thought how many animals prefer to be up high for safety, especially when they think there's danger below.
He turned to the window, put his head through looking upwards, and said quietly "It's all safe now, Paddington. You can come down now."
To his immense relief there was the noise like a bear climbing confidently even on the slated roof, before a suitcase was dropped into his hand, and a rather dishevelled bear swung down onto his shoulders.
"You're sure?" Paddington whispered into his ear.
"Yes, I'm sure. They're out searching for you all over London. But I fear this will mean that our legal fight may come quicker than I expected."
"Today?" Paddington's voice quavered.
"No, I don't think quite that soon, but perhaps tomorrow. Let's get Mr Crawley round here to draw up a plan. But first, young bear, you are in need of a brush."
...
Matthew took a taxi to Strallan House. He saw Stewart several streets away and picked him up, telling him what had happened without letting anything on to the driver.
"I believe your task has been accomplished back at the house, Mr Stewart."
"Thank heavens for that. I was so worried for him."
"He's a very engaging little chap, isn't he?"
"Certainly. I'm sure that, even if Sir Anthony had met him under the circumstances he expected to be in London, that is, on his honeymoon with Lady Edith, he still would have wanted to help. I'm sure Lady Edith would have liked Paddington too."
Matthew had gone very pale.
"Lady Edith Crawley? Sister to Lady Mary Crawley?"
"Why, yes! Do you know them?"
"I...I proposed to Lady Mary. She turned me down."
"I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't know."
They'd arrived outside Strallan House. Matthew paid, Stewart unlocked the door.
The afternoon and evening were spent with the four of them in the library, discussing the pros and cons of a variety of plans of action. Once they had all agreed, and a good meal had been provided by Mrs Bird and eaten with relish, they agreed to get a good night's sleep before embarking on their campaign the next day.
Matthew went home, and Stewart went to help Mrs Bird clear up after the day's mishaps. Anthony and Paddington were left alone.
"I think you are a very brave bear even to consider agreeing to the plan."
Paddington sighed.
"What are my alternatives? Return to Peru and admit defeat, letting Aunt Lucy down? Stay on the run here in England, or try my luck in another country, learning their language and customs from scratch?"
"I just hope it works. I'd feel terrible if it didn't."
"I know I can rely on you, Sir Anthony."
"I promise you I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety and freedom."
Paddington jumped from his chair and ran to hug the tall, kind-hearted man.
"Thank you, Sir Anthony."
Anthony was a bit surprised but put his good arm around the small bear, and hugged him back.
...
The next morning, Sir Anthony, Stewart, Matthew, and Paddington walked to the council offices at precisely ten o'clock. Matthew had told a great many newspapers to be there if they wanted to cover the beginning of (what he hoped would be) the legal case of the decade. Fleet Street hadn't let him down. The crowds of photographers and reporters saw them coming, immediately running towards them shouting questions and taking pictures.
"It's all right, Paddington" said Anthony, "stick to the plan. It isn't rude not answering their questions now."
Paddington didn't say anything but gripped Anthony's hand a little tighter.
When they reached the steps of the office, Paddington stood at the top, turned to face the journalists, took out a sheet of paper, and began to speak, awkwardly at first but growing in volume and confidence.
"Thank you all for coming today. I would like to make a statement, and then I'll be happy to take questions.
"I arrived in this country a week ago, having previously learned a great deal about England and English culture, including the language which is my first human language, and my second after Bear, but without knowing a lot about your laws. I have no desire to flaunt the rules in the country I have grown to love, and where I hope to find my permanent home so that I might make a useful contribution as a British citizen in return for your hospitality. Therefore I am now submitting myself to the relevant authorities to be tested, and, I have no doubt, proved clear of any infectious diseases, and to be processed as an immigrant according to the current regulations for people in my position.
"If, however, I am treated like an animal when it is clear that my species has as much humanity as humans themselves, then I will fight to have the law acknowledge my rights, even to the highest court in the land. Thank you for listening."
"Mr Bear! Jules Aubrey, Evening Standard. How will you fund your legal case?"
Anthony stepped in.
"I will be financing what I believe to be a justified appeal."
"And you are...sir?"
"Sir Anthony Strallan."
"The same Sir Anthony Strallan who jilted Lady Edith Crawley last week?"
"That is irrelevant and I do not wish to discuss it."
"Has Lady Edith met Mr Bear?"
Paddington decided he should try to rescue Anthony who was looking more and more uncomfortable.
"I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Lady Edith, and I expect she has better things to do than worry about bears and their problems."
"Mr Bear, may I ask what is your first name?"
"I have a name in Bear, of course, but when I arrived in England I wanted to fit in. Sir Anthony suggested the name 'Paddington' because we met at Paddington Station. And I like it."
"Ian Frown, Daily Mail. Sir Anthony, aren't you worried about the floodgates being opened to every kind of migrant animal should this misguided crusade succeed?"
"No, because I don't believe there are that many species who can claim to have the same intelligence, morality, and care for others that Paddington and his kin have. It would appear, Mr Frown, that you had written your copy even before we arrived here. But here's something your readers will agree with: this is a fight to make the rights of the civilised individual sacred in law, be those individuals human, ursine, or something else. Paddington has the most polished manners of anyone I have met since my father died. How can it be that the law says he is, pardon me, Paddington, vermin? That is just plain wrong, and we intend to right that wrong. I do so hope that you ladies and gentlemen of the press can find it in your hearts to support a very brave bear who is risking his very life to do this so that he can live freely in his beloved England."
Several journalists applauded. More photographs were taken. Then the three men and the bear went into the office. As expected, the clerk didn't listen to Matthew's statements, or Anthony's pleas. He was put into pawcuffs and taken to the kennel yard where he was incarcerated.
...
When I started this, I had no idea that I would make it as angsty for Paddington as I usually do for Anthony and Edith. I apologise for that. I hope the slapstick makes up for it a little. The rest of the Crawleys enter stage left next.