Now, Sir Jee, sitting as chief magistrate in the police-court,
actually dismissed the charge against the man! Overruling his sole
colleague on the Bench that morning, Alderman Easton, he dismissed
the charge against William Smith, holding that the evidence for
the prosecution was insufficient to justify even a remand. No
wonder that Mr Bourne was discouraged, not to say angry. No wonder
that that pillar of the law, Mr Sherratt, was pained and shocked.
At the conclusion of the case Sir Jehoshaphat said that he would
be glad to speak with William Smith afterwards in the magistrates'
room, indicating that he sympathized with William Smith, and
wished to exercise upon William Smith his renowned philanthropy.
And so, at about noon, when the Court majestically rose, Sir Jee
retired to the magistrates' room, where the humble Alderman Easton
was discreet enough not to follow him, and awaited William Smith.
And William Smith came, guided thither by a policeman, to whom, in
parting from him, he made a rude, surreptitious gesture.
Sir Jee, seated in the arm-chair which dominates the other chairs
round the elm table in the magistrates' room, emitted a
preliminary cough.
'Smith,' he said sternly, leaning his elbows on the table, 'you
were very fortunate this morning, you know.
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