'You say it is groundless?' This from Mr Thompson.
'Yes, sir.'
'I must warn you, Thomson, that the evidence against you is very strong indeed,' said the Head. 'Without suggesting that you are guilty of this thing, I think I ought to tell you that if you have any confession to make, it will be greatly, very greatly, to your own advantage to make it at once.'
'And give myself away, free, gratis and for nothing,' thought Jim. 'Not for me, thank you.'
'Might I hear Mr Thompson's evidence, sir?' he asked.
'Certainly, Thomson.' He effected a movement in Mr Thompson's direction, midway between a bow and a nod.
Mr Thompson coughed. Jim coughed, too, in the same key. This put Mr Thompson out, and he had to cough again.
'In the first place,' he began, 'it has been conclusively proved that the burglary was the work of an unskilful hand.'
'That certainly seems to point to me as the author,' said Jim flippantly.
'Silence, Thomson,' said the Head, and counsel for the prosecution resumed.