“Would you like the case to be adjourned for a short time?” the magistrate asked.
“Thank you, no, sir,” said Mr. Williamson; and the police inspector called Mr. Shuffleton Gibbs, who stated that on the previous day he had business at the Meter Ironworks Company, Westminster. Whilst he was in Mr. Richard Tallant’s room, he had occasion to take something from his purse, and during conversation he laid the purse upon the mantel-shelf. About half-an-hour afterwards, when he was leaving the room, he remembered his purse, and found that it was gone. At first he thought he must have put it into his pocket again, but he searched without avail. The only person who had come into the room whilst he was there was the prisoner.
“Will you ask Mr. Gibbs any questions, Mr. Williamson?”
“No, sir, not at present,” the barrister replied.
“Proceed with the case,” said the magistrate.
Policeman X 40 said: “Late last night he had a search-warrant placed in his hands to execute at the house of Mr. Thomas Dibble, Still Street, Pimlico. He went there the next morning, and asked an old woman——”
“Old woman, thir!—how dare you call me an old woman?” somebody exclaimed in the body of the police court.
“Who is that? Bring that woman forward,” said the magistrate.
“Yeth, my lord and jury, or whatever you call yourthelveth,” said Mrs. Dibble, elbowing herself, amidst much laughter, towards the bench.
“Silence! Silence!” exclaimed two policemen; whilst another took hold of Mrs. Dibble’s arm to increase her momentum.