Muzzle retired; and a pale, sharp-nosed, half-fed, shabbily- clad clerk,

of middle age, entered the room.

Mr Jinks,' said the magistrate. 'Mr Jinks.'

Sir,' said Mr Jinks. 'This lady, Mr Jinks, has come here, to give

information of an intended duel in this town.'

Mr Jinks, not knowing exactly what to do, smiled a dependent's smile.

What are you laughing at, Mr Jinks?' said the magistrate.

Mr Jinks looked serious instantly.

Mr Jinks,' said the magistrate, 'you're a fool.'

Mr Jinks looked humbly at the great man, and bit the top of his pen.

You may see something very comical in this information, Sir - but I

can tell you this, Mr Jinks, that you have very little to laugh at,' said

the magistrate.

The hungry-looking Jinks sighed, as if he were quite aware of the fact

of his having very little indeed to be merry about; and, being ordered

to take the lady's information, shambled to a seat, and proceeded to

write it down.

This man, Pickwick, is the principal, I understand?' said the

magistrate, when the statement was finished.

He is,' said the middle-aged lady.

And the other rioter - what's his name, Mr Jinks?'

Tupman, Sir.' 'Tupman is the second?'

Yes.'

The other principal, you say, has absconded, ma'am?'

Yes,' replied Miss Witherfield, with a short cough.

Very well,' said the magistrate. 'These are two cut-throats from

London, who have come down here to destroy his Majesty's

population, thinking that at this distance from the capital, the arm of

the law is weak and paralysed. They shall be made an example of.

Draw up the warrants, Mr Jinks. Muzzle!'

The Pickwick Papers