Clerk.  James Jones, Jane Jones.

Usher.  Jane Jones!

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 making 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; I remember 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?