John Lidlow, Esq., J.P., was uncommonly sleepy and preternaturally solemn in court when the case of Hobbs versus Mahdi was called on for hearing.  Ivo Hobbs explained his grievance clearly, and when the defendant was called upon, Professor Thunder stepped forward and explained: 

“The defendant, Your Worship, is my justly-celebrated man-monkey, Mahdi, the Missing Link.”

“Is he a man or a monkey?” asked the court, drowsily, opening one eye.

“He’s a bit of both, but mainly monkey, Your Worship.”

“It’s a lie, he’s a man,” cried Hobbs.

“Silence in the Court!” said His Worship, with portentous hauteur, “or I’ll give you ten days for contempt.  The defendant must be brought before us.”

“But, Your Worship,” exclaimed the Professor, “it would not be safe, I assure you, The animal is wild.  He was irritated by this man, it would not be safe to take him from his cage.  He might attack the court.”

“Eh, what’s that?” ejaculated the magistrate.  “Attack the court?  We don’t allow that kind of thing here.  I’d give the beggar twelve months.”

Constable Dunne whispered to the court, and Professor Thunder enlarged upon the shocking temper of the Missing Link when roused.

“Very well,” said the Magistrate, “if he cannot be brought to this court, the court will go to him.  Justice must be done.  This court stands adjourned to Professor Thunder’s Museum of Marvels.”

Very gravely John Lidlow, J.P., led the court to Professor Thunder’s tents, and sedately he established himself behind a table before the cage of the Missing Link, and again the case was called on.

“The Missing Link pleads guilty, Your Worship,” said Constable Dunne.  Professor Thunder whispered to him.  “Through his next iv kin, Yer Worship,” continued Dunne.

“With extenuating circumstances.  Your Worship,” said the Professor.  “This man attacked my Missing Link with a stick.”

The Missing Link at this moment bounded against the front of the cage with a blood-curdling growl, making seemingly frantic efforts to get at Ivo Hobbs.  One of the bars broke before his terrific onslaught, and through the apperture Mahdi snatched and snapped at his adversary of yesterday, growling horribly the while.

With a ’ell of terror Hobbs fled into a cement barrel.

The Missing Link flopped from his cage, and advanced upon the J.P.

The sight so upset the court in the person of John Lidlow that it sat for a moment, staring in blank horror across the table set for its convenience, then slowly tilted over in its chair, and fell heavily on the back of its neck, picked itself up, and made a bolt for the open.  At the tent door the court turned for a moment, and cried breathlessly: 

“Fined five shillings or two days,” and then it dashed out and away.

Professor Thunder paid the fine with the greatest goodwill, considering the advertisement an ample recompense.  Besides this presentation at court was a useful testimony in support of the his claims of the Missing Link, and the Waddy Bugle’s grave account of the trial under “Police Court News” was added to the archives of the Museum.