A. A. Milne

The New Bailey was crowded with a gay and fashionable throng. It
was a remarkable case of shoplifting. Aurora Delaine, nineteen, was
charged with feloniously stealing and conveying certain articles, the
property of the Universal Stores, to wit thirty-five yards of book-muslin,
ten pairs of gloves, a sponge, two gimlets, five jars of cold cream, a
copy of the Clergy List, three hat-guards, a mariner's compass, a box of
drawing-pins, an egg-breaker, six blouses, and a cabman's whistle. The
theft had been proved by Albert Jobson, a shopwalker, who gave evi-
dence to the effect that he followed her through the different depart-
ments and saw her take the things mentioned in the indictment.

"Just a moment," interrupted the Judge. "Who is defending the pris-
oner?"

There was an unexpected silence. Rupert Carleton, who had dropped
idly into court, looked round in sudden excitement. The poor girl had
no counsel! What if he--yes, he would seize the chance! He stood up
boldly. "I am, my lord," he said.

Rupert Carleton was still in the twenties, but he had been a briefless
barrister for some years. Yet, though briefs would not come, he had
been very far from idle. He had stood for Parliament in both the Con-
servative and Liberal interests (not to mention his own). He had writ-
ten half a dozen unproduced plays, and he was engaged to be married.
But success in his own profession had been delayed. Now at last was his
opportunity.

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