The Silver Box

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Authors: John Galsworthy
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the dock. JONES leans against the back rail of the dock, and keeps half turning, glancing defiantly about him. He is haggard and unshaven.]
     
    CLERK. [Consulting with his papers.] This is the case remanded from last Wednesday, Sir. Theft of a silver cigarette-box and assault on the police; the two charges were taken together. Jane Jones! James Jones!
     
    MAGISTRATE. [Staring.] Yes, yes; I remember.
     
    CLERK. Jane Jones.
     
    MRS. JONES. Yes, Sir.
     
    CLERK. Do you admit stealing a silver cigarette-box valued at five pounds, ten shillings, from the house of John BARTHWICK, M.P., between the hours of 11 p.m. on Easter Monday and 8.45 a.m. on Easter Tuesday last? Yes, or no?
     
    MRS. JONES. [In a logy voice.] No, Sir, I do not, sir.
     
    CLERK. James Jones? Do you admit stealing a silver cigarette-box valued at five pounds, ten shillings, from the house of John Barthwick, M.P., between the hours of 11 p.m. on Easter Monday and 8.45 A.M. on Easter Tuesday last. And further making an assault on the police when in the execution of their duty at 3 p.m. on Easter Tuesday? Yes or no?
     
    JONES. [Sullenly.] Yes, but I've got a lot to say about it.
     
    MAGISTRATE. [To the CLERK.] Yes—yes. But how comes it that these two people are charged with the same offence? Are they husband and wife?
     
    CLERK. Yes, Sir. You remember you ordered a remand for further evidence as to the story of the male prisoner.
     
    MAGISTRATE. Have they been in custody since?
     
    CLERK. You released the woman on her own recognisances, sir.
     
    MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes, this is the case of the silver box; I remember now. Well?
     
    CLERK. Thomas Marlow.
     
    [The cry of "THOMAS MARLOW" is repeated MARLOW comes in, and steps into the witness-box.]
     
    USHER. The evidence you give to the court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. Kiss the book.
     
    [The book is kissed. The silver box is handed up, and placed on the rail.]
     
    CLERK. [Reading from his papers.] Your name is Thomas Marlow? Are you, butler to John Baerhwick, M.P., of 6, Rockingham Gate?
     
    MARLOW. Yes, Sir.
     
    CLERK. Is that the box?
     
    MARLOW. Yes Sir.
     
    CLERK. And did you miss the same at 8.45 on the following morning, on going to remove the tray?
     
    MARLOW. Yes, Sir.
     
    CLERK. Is the female prisoner known to you?
     
    [MARLOW nods.]
     
    Is she the charwoman employed at 6, Rockingham Gate?
     
    [Again MARLOW nods.]
     
    Did you at the time of your missing the box find her in the room alone?
     
    MARLOW. Yes, Sir.
     
    CLERK. Did you afterwards communicate the loss to your employer, and did he send you to the police station?
     
    MARLOW. Yes, Sir.
     
    CLERK. [To MRS. JONES.] Have you anything to ask him?
     
    MRS. JONES. No, sir, nothing, thank you, sir.
     
    CLERK. [To JONES.] James Jones, have you anything to ask this witness?
     
    JONES. I don't know 'im.
     
    MAGISTRATE. Are you sure you put the box in the place you say at the time you say?
     
    MARLOW. Yes, your Worship.
     
    MAGISTRATE. Very well; then now let us have the officer.
     
    [MARLOW leaves the box, and Snow goes into it.]
     
    USHER. The evidence you give to the court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. [The book is kissed.]
     
    CLERK. [Reading from his papers.] Your name is Robert Allow? You are a detective in the X. B. division of the Metropolitan police force? According to instructions received did you on Easter Tuesday last proceed to the prisoner's lodgings at 34, Merthyr Street, St. Soames's? And did you on entering see the box produced, lying on the table?
     
    SNOW. Yes, Sir.
     
    CLERK. Is that the box?
     
    Snow. [Fingering the box.] Yes, Sir.
     
    CLERK. And did you thereupon take possession of it, and charge the female prisoner with theft of the box from 6, Rockingham Gate? And did she deny the same?
     
    SNOW. Yes, Sir.
     
    CLERK. Did you take her into custody?
     
    Snow. Yes, Sir.
     
    MAGISTRATE. What was

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