'That's all very well, you know,' said the Constable, turning as pale as tripe; 'but he might nip me.'
'I can't help that,' cried the Mayor, angrily. 'At all costs I must be protected from danger. Do your duty and arrest this felon with your hat.'
The Constable looked round, gasped, and summoning all his courage, scooped up the Puddin' in his hat.
'My word,' he said, breathlessly, 'but that was a narrow squeak. I expected every moment to be my last.'
'Now we breathe more freely,' said the Mayor, and led the way to the Tooraloo Court House.
'If this isn't too bad,' said Bill, furiously. 'Here we've had all the worry and trouble of fightin' puddin'-thieves night and day, and, on top of it all, here's this Tooralooral tadpole of a Mayor shovin' his nose into the business and arrestin' our Puddin' without rhyme or reason.'
As they had arrived at the Court House at that moment, Bill was forced to smother his resentment for the time being. There was nobody in Court except the Judge and the Usher, who were seated on the bench having a quiet game of cards over a bottle of port.
'Order in the Court,' shouted the Usher, as they all came crowding in; and the Judge, seeing the Constable carrying the Puddin' in his hat, said severely:
'This won't do, you know; it's Contempt of Court, bringing your lunch here.'