“Well, Mr Dempster, well?” he said.
“Then, Sir Thomas, then, to my utter astonishment, evidently by collusion, Gordon seized my Malacca cane, and the boy Dean shouted to him to come on now, and they made a combined attack upon me, breaking off the handle of my cane, inflicting the injuries you see, and but for my energetic defence I believe they would have robbed me and gone off. Fortunately I was able to call for the police, and give them into custody.”
“Well, of all—” began Esau; but the old alderman turned upon him sharply.
“I shall commit you, sir, for contempt of court,” he cried.
“But he is telling such—”
“Silence, sir!”
“Quiet, you young donkey,” whispered the policeman. “Hsh!”
“Hm! Mr Dempster, Mr Dempster,” said the old gentleman, “this is a police court, not an auctioneer’s rostrum.”
“I beg your pardon, Sir Thomas,” said Mr Dempster, with dignity.
“You are sworn, sir, and I wished to remind you that this is not a rostrum. You auctioneers are licenced gentlemen, and you do exaggerate a little sometimes. Are you not doing so now?”