Her Ladyship's Elephant Part 16

"In other words, you think the prisoner to be Richard Allingford, but are unwilling to swear to his ident.i.ty?"

"That's the stuff," replied Faro Charlie. "I swored as a man was my uncle, three years ago at 'Frisco, and he put a bullet into me next day, 'cause I lost him the case. After which I ain't swearing against a pal,"

and he left the stand.

The case now proceeded, and the detective related how on Wednesday, the 16th of October, the prisoner, Richard Allingford, in company with other lawless characters, had dined at the Lion's Head, and, during a dispute with the landlord concerning the quality of the wine, had thrown that personage out of his own second-storey window; telling his wife, who protested against such actions, to put her husband in the bill, which they left without settling. Then they proceeded to paint the town of Winchester a lurid crimson, breaking windows, beating a policeman who interfered, and raiding a night coffee-stall in the process.

This recital of wrong and outrage being finished, the magistrate addressed the prisoner as follows:

"What is your name?"

"Harold Stanley Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale."

Some one in the audience murmured, "O Lor'!"

"You refuse to admit that your name is Richard Allingford?" continued the justice.

"I have just given you my name."

"Are you an American?"

"No, I am an Englishman."

"Where do you live?"

"'The Towers,' Suss.e.x."

The audience again voiced its sentiments; this time to the effect that the prisoner was "a 'owling swell"; but order was restored and the case once more proceeded.

"What is your profession?"

"I am a clerk in the War Office."

"Does not that interfere with the management of your estate?" asked his interlocutor, to whom the last two statements savoured of contradiction.

"I have just succeeded to the estate, through the death of an elder brother."

"Ah, I see. Now in regard to last evening. Do you admit meeting at the George the person who calls himself Charles Smith?"

"Yes."

"Did not you represent yourself to him as being Richard Allingford?"

"Yes."

This reply caused a sensation in the court.

"I suppose," said the magistrate, "that you realise that this is a serious admission."

"It is the truth."

"Perhaps you can explain it to the satisfaction of the court."

"I a.s.sumed the name," said Scarsdale with an effort, "to screen from possible annoyance a lady who was under my protection. With the permission of the court, however, I should prefer not to go into this matter further, as it has no direct bearing on the charge. My action was foolish, and I have been punished for it."

"You certainly chose an unfortunate alias," commented the magistrate drily, and, much to the prisoner's relief, turned to another phase of the case.

"What are you doing in Winchester?"

"I am on my honeymoon. I was married yesterday."

A t.i.tter of laughter ran round the court-room; but the magistrate frowned, and continued:

"I suppose that is the reason why you registered under an a.s.sumed name, and are travelling with somebody else's wife?"

There was more laughter, for the justice had a local reputation as a wit. Scarsdale boiled inwardly, but held his peace; while his judge, who seemed to feel that he had strayed a little from the subject in hand, after a moment's silence asked shortly:

"Do you plead guilty or not guilty to these charges?"

"Not guilty!"

"Do you wish this matter settled here or in a superior court?"

"I desire that it be settled here, provided I am given an opportunity to prove my ident.i.ty."

"You will be given every reasonable opportunity. What do you wish?"

"I wish to ask first by whom these charges are preferred."

"The charge of a.s.sault and battery has been brought by the landlord of the Lion's Head."

"I infer that the landlord served Richard Allingford in person on the night in question, and would be likely to know him if he saw him."

The magistrate conferred with the detective, and replied that such was the case.

"If the question is not out of order," resumed the prisoner, "may I ask if the landlord of the Lion's Head is a reputable witness, and one whose testimony might be relied on?"

"I think you may trust yourself in his hands," replied the justice, who had seen all along whither the case was tending.

"Then," said Scarsdale, "I shall be satisfied to rest my case on his identification."

"That is quite a proper request," replied the magistrate. "Is the landlord of the Lion's Head present?"

At this a dapper little man jumped up in the audience, and explained that he was the landlord's physician, and that his patient, though convalescent, was still disabled by his injuries and unable to attend court.

On inquiry being made as to when he could put in an appearance, the physician replied that he thought the landlord could come the next day.

The magistrate therefore consulted for a moment with the detective, and then said to the prisoner: