"I had no doubt at all as to his _bona fides_," said the tailor, lingering lovingly over the Latin words; "but immediately afterwards I had a wire from Moors asking me to postpone my visit to his lordship. I rang up Scotland Yard to inform Mr. Sinnott of the alteration, and learnt that he was unknown there. Then I informed the authorities of the whole matter, with the result that our original intention was followed, and every facility allowed to Mr. Sinnott for carry out his plans." "Done! By Jove!" gasped Eyre. Lord Lothersdale's secretary then gave evidence that the Report now produced in court was the property of his lordship. "Of course," he added smilingly, "the real Report is still at Moors. This one, though signed for the present purpose by Lord Lothersdale, has no value. It was drawn up three years ago by a former Secretary of State for War," he explained. Then there was formal evidence of the arrest from Mr. Marvell, who was allowed to speak at length. "For some time past, your worship," he said, "we have been aware of the existence of what is called 'The Burglars' Club,' composed of noblemen and gentlemen such as your worship sees before you. Our information was derived in the first instance from a discharged servant of one of the members. In revenge for his dismissal he told us of proceedings he had witnessed at his master's house on one occasion, when he was concealed behind a curtain in the room. "He furnished us with a list of members, and ever since then we have had them under observation. These gentlemen amuse themselves by stealing articles of great value or of public interest. We know for a fact that at one time and another they have obtained unlawful possession of the Koh-i-noor Diamond, the Mace of the House of Commons, Lord Illingworth's Black Pearl, an ounce of Radium from Professor Blyth's laboratory, and even the Great Seal of the United Kingdom itself." "Good old burglars!" called out an admiring listener at the back of the court. "Silence!" shouted an indignant usher. "We have waited, your worship, until we could interfere successfully, knowing that it was only a question of time for us to do so. I have twice been called in on the occasion of a burglary committed by a member of the club, and in each case--of course against my wishes--no charge was made. In this particular instance the member walked straight into the trap." This closed the case for the Crown, and counsel proceeded to urge the seriousness of the offence, and the necessity for a severe sentence, not only as a just punishment, but as an example. Counsel for the prisoners now rose. He was the famous Mr. Spiller, who had earned the well-deserved sobriquet of "The prisoner's pal." He stood up with a twinkle in his eye, and an air of confidence that gladdened the hearts of the ladies on the bench.