The Mayor clears his throat; Chantrey’s eyes goggle; Harris bends
     over and writes rapidly.

During the struggle, Your Worship, a young man has appeared on the scene, and at the instigation of the young woman, the same who was assaulted, assists me in securing the prisoner, whose language and resistance was violent in the extreme.  We placed him in a cab which we found outside, and I conveyed him to the station.

Chantrey.  What was his—­er—­conduct in the—­er—­cab?

Moon.  He sat quiet.

Chantrey.  That seems—­

Moon.  Seein’ I had his further arm twisted behind him.

Mayor [Looking at builder] Any questions to ask him?

     Builder makes not the faintest sign, and the Mayor drops his glance.

Mayor.  Sergeant?

     Moon steps back two paces, and the Sergeant steps two paces forward.

Sergeant.  At ten minutes to four, Your Worship, yesterday afternoon, Constable Moon brought the defendant to the station in a four-wheeled cab.  On his recounting the circumstances of the assault, they were taken down and read over to the defendant with the usual warning.  The defendant said nothing.  In view of the double assault and the condition of the constable’s eye, and in the absence of the Superintendent, I thought it my duty to retain the defendant for the night.

Mayor.  The defendant said nothing?

Sergeant.  He ’as not opened his lips to my knowledge, Your Worship, from that hour to this.

Mayor.  Any questions to ask the Sergeant?

Builder continues to stare at the Mayor without a word.

Mayor.  Very well!

     The Mayor and Chantrey now consult each other inaudibly, and the
     Mayor nods.

Mayor.  Miss Maud Builder, will you tell us what you know of this—­er—­ occurrence?

Maud. [Rising; with eyes turning here and there] Must I?

Mayor.  I’m afraid you must.

Maud. [After a look at her father, who never turns his eyes from the MAYOR’s face] I—­I wish to withdraw the charge of striking me, please.  I—­I never meant to make it.  I was in a temper—­I saw red.

Mayor.  I see.  A—­a domestic disagreement.  Very well, that charge is withdrawn.  You do not appear to have been hurt, and that seems to me quite proper.  Now, tell me what you know of the assault on the constable.  Is his account correct?

Maud. [Timidly] Ye-yes.  Only—­

Mayor.  Yes?  Tell us the truth.

Maud. [Resolutely] Only, I don’t think my father hit the constable. 
I think the stick did that.

Mayor.  Oh, the stick?  But—­er—­the stick was in ’is ’and, wasn’t it?