[He drops the box, and rushes on her with a snarl. She slips back past the bed. He follows; a chair is overturned. The door is opened; Snow comes in, a detective in plain clothes and bowler hat, with clipped moustaches. JONES drops his arms, MRS. JONES stands by the window gasping; SNOW, advancing swiftly to the table, puts his hand on the silver box.] SNOW. Doin' a bit o' skylarkin'? Fancy this is what I 'm after. J. B., the very same. [He gets back to the door, scrutinising the crest and cypher on the box. To MRS. JONES.] I'm a police officer. Are you Mrs. Jones? MRS. JONES. Yes, Sir. SNOW. My instructions are to take you on a charge of stealing this box from J. BARTHWICK, Esquire, M.P., of 6, Rockingham Gate. Anything you say may be used against you. Well, Missis? MRS. JONES. [In her quiet voice, still out of breath, her hand upon her breast.] Of course I did not take it, sir. I never have taken anything that did n't belong to me; and of course I know nothing about it. SNOW. You were at the house this morning; you did the room in which the box was left; you were alone in the room. I find the box 'ere. You say you did n't take it? MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, of course I say I did not take it, because I did not. SNOW. Then how does the box come to be here? MRS. JONES. I would rather not say anything about it. SNOW. Is this your husband? MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, this is my husband, sir. SNOW. Do you wish to say anything before I take her? [JONES remains silent, with his head bend down.] Well then, Missis. I 'll just trouble you to come along with me quietly. MRS. JONES. [Twisting her hands.] Of course I would n't say I had n't taken it if I had--and I did n't take it, indeed I did n't. Of course I know appearances are against me, and I can't tell you what really happened: But my children are at school, and they'll be coming home--and I don't know what they'll do without me. SNOW. Your 'usband'll see to them, don't you worry. [He takes the woman gently by the arm.] JONES. You drop it--she's all right! [Sullenly.] I took the thing myself. SNOW. [Eyeing him] There, there, it does you credit. Come along, Missis. JONES. [Passionately.] Drop it, I say, you blooming teck. She's my wife; she 's a respectable woman. Take her if you dare! SNOW. Now, now. What's the good of this? Keep a civil tongue, and it'll be the better for all of us. [He puts his whistle in his mouth and draws the woman to the door.] JONES. [With a rush.] Drop her, and put up your 'ands, or I 'll soon make yer. You leave her alone, will yer! Don't I tell yer, I took the thing myself. SNOW. [Blowing his whistle.] Drop your hands, or I 'll take you too. Ah, would you? [JONES, closing, deals him a blow. A Policeman in uniform appears; there is a short struggle and JONES is overpowered. MRS. JONES raises her hands avid drops her face on them.]