Bassett with a ceremonious bow, seated himself, and begged Mr. Bassett
to be seated.
"Thank you," said Mr. Bassett, but did not seat himself. He stood
before the prisoner and gave his evidence; during which the prisoner's
knees were seen to knock together with terror: he was a young man fit
for folly, but not for felony.
Said Richard Bassett, "I have a cupboard containing family plate. It is
valuable, and some years ago I passed a piece of catgut from the door
through the ceiling to a bell at my bedside.
"Very late last night the bell sounded. I flung on my trousers, and
went down with a pistol. I caught two burglars in the act of rifling
the cupboard. I went to collar one; he struck me on the head with a
crowbar--constable, show the crowbar--I staggered, but recovered
myself, and fired at one of the burglars: he was just struggling
through the window. He fell, and I thought he was dead, but he got
away. I secured the other, and here he is--just as he was when I took
him. Constable, search his pockets."
The constable did so, and produced therefrom several pieces of silver
plate stamped with the Bassett arms.
"My servant here can confirm this," added Mr. Bassett.
"It is not necessary here," said Sir Charles. Then to the criminal,
"Have you anything to say?"
"It was only a lark," quavered the poor wretch.
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