20 A Sportsman at Large 



I shan't spit it out. I shall just wait until your pa comes 

 home and show him what you've done ! ") 



Whether he kept his word as regards the swallowing or 

 the alternative spitting, history does not relate. All I know 

 is that the infamy of our behaviour was duly reported to 

 The Mums, with what result you know. As for Ted, he, 

 as usual, anticipated trouble by making himself particularly 

 scarce until the affair had blown over. 



I used often to attend the court when The Dads was 

 occupying the judicial bench at the Clerkenwell (Middlesex) 

 Sessions, and, as something of a student of humanity and 

 criminology, I was greatly interested. At the time I speak 

 of, which was later than that which I have so far dealt with, 

 there were many notable counsel practising in his court 

 (some of whom were then juniors), who afterwards became 

 famous. Among them may be mentioned Mr. Mead, who 

 was subsequently appointed a stipendiary magistrate, and 

 for years sat at Maryborough Street Police Court ; also 

 " Willie " (afterwards Sir Charles) Mathews, who blossomed 

 into Director of Public Prosecutions ; but Montague Williams 

 was already it in this and similar courts of justice. Here is 

 a yarn, which illustrates the respect in which " Monty " was 

 held by the criminal classes. A hefty burglar who had been 

 caught in flagrante delicto, was invited to plead. Turning to 

 the attendant warder, who shared the dock with him, he 

 asked gruffly : 



" Oo prosecutes ? " 



" Mister Williams," replied the minion of the law. 



" Oh, GUILTY, milord," growled the criminal resignedly. 



A young and callow wearer of the stuff gown arose from 

 his seat on a back bench and addressed the court. 



' The prisoner having pleaded guilty, milord," he began, 

 " it only remains for me to detail " 



' 'Ere ! 'Oo the 'ell's that ? " asked the prisoner, addressing 

 the warder excitedly. 



;< Why, Mister 'Enery Williams, o' course." 



' 'Enery, 'Enery Gawd ! I thought it was Monty. 'Ere, 

 NOT GUILTY, milord. Let the blighter 'av' a run fer 'is 

 money ! " 



