“Sure enough do ur,” said Mr. Bumpkin.
So the handcuffs were put on, and the stalwart policeman, like a hero with the captive of his bow and spear, marched him along at a great rate, Bumpkin striding out manfully at the side, amid a great crowd of small boys, with all their heads turned towards the prisoner as they ran, in the highest state of delight and excitement. Even Bumpkin looked as if he had made a good thing of it, and seemed as pleased as the boys.
As they came again to the corner of Ludgate Hill, there stood Mr. O’Rapley, looking very pompous and dignified, as became so great a man.
“You’ve got him then,” said he.
“Ay; come on, Master Rapley, come on.”
“One moment,” said the official; “I must here leave you for the present, Mr. Bumpkin; we are not allowed to give evidence in Criminal Courts any more than Her Majesty’s Judges themselves; we are a part of the Court.
But, besides all that, I did not see what happened; what was it?”
“Well,” said Mr. Bumpkin, “that be rum too, sir; thee see thic feller steal my watch, surely.”
“Indeed, Mr. Bumpkin, it was so quickly done that I really did not see it, if you ask me.”
“Why, he dragged un out o’ thic pocket.”