CHANTREY. These new constables, Mayor! I say, Builder'll have to go! Damn the Press, how they nose everything out! The Great Unpaid!-- We shall get it again! [He suddenly goes off into a fit of laughter] "Come off it," I says, "to the best of my recollection." Oh! Oh! I shan't hit a bird all day! That poor devil Builder! It's no joke for him. You did it well, Mayor; you did it well. British justice is safe in your hands. He blacked the fellow's eye all right. "Which I herewith produce." Oh! my golly! It beats the band! His uncontrollable laughter and the MAYOR'S rueful appreciation are exchanged with lightning rapidity for a preternatural solemnity, as the door opens, admitting SERGEANT MARTIN and the lugubrious object of their next attentions. MAYOR. Charges. SERGEANT steps forward to read the charge as The CURTAIN falls. SCENE II Noon the same day. BUILDER'S study. TOPPING is standing by the open window, looking up and down the street. A newspaper boy's voice is heard calling the first edition of his wares. It approaches from the Right. TOPPING. Here! BOY'S VOICE. Right, guv'nor! Johnny Builder up before the beaks! [A paper is pushed up]. TOPPING. [Extending a penny] What's that you're sayin'? You take care! BOY'S VOICE. It's all 'ere. Johnny Builder--beatin' his wife! Dischawged. TOPPING. Stop it, you young limb! BOY'S VOICE. 'Allo! What's the matter wiv you? Why, it's Johnny Builder's house! [Gives a cat-call] 'Ere, buy anuvver! 'E'll want to read about 'isself. [Appealing] Buy anuvver, guv'nor! TOPPING. Move on! He retreats from the window, opening the paper. BOY'S VOICE. [Receding] Payper! First edition! J.P. chawged! Payper! TOPPING. [To himself as he reads] Crimes! Phew! That accounts for them bein' away all night. While he is reading, CAMILLE enters from the hall. Here! Have you seen this, Camel--in the Stop Press? CAMILLE. No. They read eagerly side by side. TOPPING. [Finishing aloud] "Tried to prevent her father from forcing her mother to return home with him, and he struck her for so doing. She did not press the charge. The arrested gentleman, who said he acted under great provocation, was discharged with a caution." Well, I'm blowed! He has gone and done it! CAMILLE. A black eye! TOPPING. [Gazing at her] Have you had any hand in this? I've seen you making your lovely black eyes at him. You foreigners--you're a loose lot! CAMILLE. You are drunk! TOPPING. Not yet, my dear. [Reverting to the paper; philosophically] Well, this little lot's bust up! The favourites will fall down. Johnny Builder! Who'd have thought it? CAMILLE. He is an obstinate man.