BARTHWICK.[In a whisper.] The purse--the purse must be kept out of it, Roper.Whatever happens you must keep that out of the papers.
[ROPER nods.]
BALD CONSTABLE.Hush!
[MRS.JONES, dressed in hey thin, black, wispy dress, and black straw hat, stands motionless with hands crossed on the front rail of the dock.JONES leans against the back rail of the dock, and keeps half turning, glancing defiantly about him.He is haggard and unshaven.]
CLERK.[Consulting with his papers.] This is the case remanded from last Wednesday, Sir.Theft of a silver cigarette-box and assault on the police; the two charges were taken together.Jane Jones! James Jones!
MAGISTRATE.[Staring.] Yes, yes; I remember.
CLERK.Jane Jones.
MRS.JONES.Yes, Sir.
CLERK.Do you admit stealing a silver cigarette-box valued at five pounds, ten shillings, from the house of John BARTHWICK, M.P., between the hours of 11 p.m.on Easter Monday and 8.45 a.m.on Easter Tuesday last? Yes, or no?
MRS.JONES.[In a logy voice.] No, Sir, I do not, sir.
CLERK.James Jones? Do you admit stealing a silver cigarette-box valued at five pounds, ten shillings, from the house of John BARTHWICK, M.P., between the hours of 11 p.m.on Easter Monday and 8.45 A.M.on Easter Tuesday last.And further ****** an assault on the police when in the execution of their duty at 3 p.m.on Easter Tuesday? Yes or no?
JONES.[Sullenly.] Yes, but I've got a lot to say about it.
MAGISTRATE.[To the CLERK.] Yes--yes.But how comes it that these two people are charged with the same offence? Are they husband and wife?
CLERK.Yes, Sir.You remember you ordered a remand for further evidence as to the story of the male prisoner.
MAGISTRATE.Have they been in custody since?
CLERK.You released the woman on her own recognisances, sir.
MAGISTRATE.Yes, yes, this is the case of the silver box; Iremember now.Well?
CLERK.Thomas Marlow.
[The cry of "THOMAS MARLOW" is repeated MARLOW comes in, and steps into the witness-box.]
USHER.The evidence you give to the court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God.Kiss the book.
[The book is kissed.The silver box is handed up, and placed on the rail.]
CLERK.[Reading from his papers.] Your name is Thomas Marlow? Are you, butler to John BARTHWICK, M.P., of 6, Rockingham Gate?
MARLOW.Yes, Sir.
CLERK.Is that the box?
MARLOW.Yes Sir.
CLERK.And did you miss the same at 8.45 on the following morning, on going to remove the tray?
MARLOW.Yes, Sir.
CLERK.Is the female prisoner known to you?
[MARLOW nods.]
Is she the charwoman.employed at 6, Rockingham Gate?
[Again MARLOW nods.]
Did you at the time of your missing the box find her in the room alone?
MARLOW.Yes, Sir.
CLERK.Did you afterwards communicate the loss to your employer, and did he send you to the police station?
MARLOW.Yes, Sir.
CLERK.[To MRS.JONES.] Have you anything to ask him?
MRS.JONES.No, sir, nothing, thank you, sir.
CLERK.[To JONES.] James Jones, have you anything to ask this witness?
JONES.I don't know 'im.
MAGISTRATE.Are you sure you put the box in the place you say at the time you say?
MARLOW.Yes, your Worship.
MAGISTRATE.Very well; then now let us have the officer.
[MARLOW leaves the box, and Snow goes into it.]
USHER.The evidence you give to the court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God.[The book is kissed.
CLERK.[Reading from his papers.] Your name is Robert Allow? You are a detective in the X.B.division of the Metropolitan police force? According to instructions received did you on Easter Tuesday last proceed to the prisoner's lodgings at 34, Merthyr Street, St.
Soames's? And did you on entering see the box produced, lying on the table?
SNOW.Yes, Sir.
CLERK.Is that the box?
Snow.[Fingering the box.] Yes, Sir.
CLERK.And did you thereupon take possession of it, and charge the female prisoner with theft of the box from 6, Rockingham Gate? And did she deny the same?
SNOW.Yes, Sir.
CLERK.Did you take her into custody?
Snow.Yes, Sir.
MAGISTRATE.What was her behaviour?
SNOW.Perfectly quiet, your Worship.She persisted in the denial.
That's all.
MAGISTRATE.DO you know her?
SNOW.No, your Worship.
MAGISTRATE.Is she known here?
BALD CONSTABLE.No, your Worship, they're neither of them known, we 've nothing against them at all.
CLERK.[To MRS.JONES.] Have you anything to ask the officer?
MRS.JONES.No, sir, thank you, I 've nothing to ask him.
MAGISTRATE.Very well then--go on.
CLERK.[Reading from his papers.] And while you were taking the female prisoner did the male prisoner interpose, and endeavour to hinder you in the execution of your duty, and did he strike you a blow?
SNOW.Yes, Sir.
CLERK.And did he say, "You, let her go, I took the box myself"?
SNOW.He did.
CLERK.And did you blow your whistle and obtain the assistance of another constable, and take him into custody?
SNOW.I did.
CLERK.Was he violent on the way to the station, and did he use bad language, and did he several times repeat that he had taken the box himself?
[Snow nods.]
Did you thereupon ask him in what manner he had stolen the box? And did you understand him to say he had entered the house at the invitation of young Mr.BARTHWICK[BARTHWICK, turning in his seat, frowns at ROPER.]
after midnight on Easter Monday, and partaken of whisky, and that under the influence of the whisky he had taken the box?
SNOW.I did, sir.
CLERK.And was his demeanour throughout very violent?
SNOW.It was very violent.
JONES.[Breaking in.] Violent---of course it was! You put your 'ands on my wife when I kept tellin' you I took the thing myself.
MAGISTRATE.[Hissing, with protruded neck.] Now--you will have your chance of saying what you want to say presently.Have you anything to ask the officer?
JONES.[Sullenly.] No.
MAGISTRATE.Very well then.Now let us hear what the female prisoner has to say first.
MRS.JONES.Well, your Worship, of course I can only say what I 've said all along, that I did n't take the box.
MAGISTRATE.Yes, but did you know that it was taken?