"This Pillsworth is a veritable fiend!" the judge said hollowly. "He's even managed to corrupt the underworld!" He glanced around the room. "Where's this bus thief I've heard about?"
The disconsolate driver shuffled forward. "That's me, I guess," he said.
The judge studied the man pettishly. "You admit stealing this bus?"
"I guess I did steal it," the driver said, "if you want to be technical about it."
"And I do," the judge said. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"Well," the driver reflected, "I didn't exactly steal it with malice aforethought. That is I wasn't even thinking about stealing it until Pillsworth came along and asked me about it."
"Don't tell me this Pillsworth persuaded you to take the bus?"
"Well, the money was quite an inducement."
For a moment, the judge appeared to brood into space, then, decisively, he turned to Sergeant Feeney.