of the writ should be
forthcoming. But after he had waited some time, and repeated the demand
before witnesses, it was not yet produced. Mr. Clarke then, in a solemn
tone, gave the jailor to understand, that an officer refusing to deliver
a true copy of the commitment warrant was liable to the forfeiture of one
hundred pounds for the first offence, and for the second to a forfeiture
of twice that sum, besides being disabled from executing his office.

Indeed, it was no easy matter to comply with Sir Launcelot's demand; for
no warrant had been granted, nor was it now in the power of the justice
to remedy this defect, as Mr. Ferret had taken himself away privately,
without having communicated the name and designation of the prisoner. A
circumstance the more mortifying to the jailor, as he perceived the
extraordinary respect which Mr. Clarke and the captain paid to the
knight, and was now fully convinced that he would be dealt with according
to law. Disordered with these reflections, he imparted them to the
justice, who had in vain caused search to be made for Ferret, and was now
extremely well inclined to set the knight and his friends at liberty,
though he did not at all suspect the quality and importance of our
adventurer. He could not, however, resist the temptation of displaying
the authority of his office, and therefore ordered the prisoners to be
brought before his tribunal, that, in the capacity of a magistrate, he
might give them a severe reproof, and proper caution with respect to
their future behaviour.

They were accordingly led through the street in procession, guarded by
the constable and his gang, followed by Crabshaw, who had by this time
been released from the stocks, and surrounded by a crowd of people,
attracted by curiosity. When they arrived at the justice's house, they
were detained for some time in the passage; then a voice was heard,
commanding the constable to bring in the prisoners, and they were
introduced to the hall of audience, where Mr. Gobble sat in judgment,
with a crimson velvet night-cap on his head; and on his right hand
appeared his lady, puffed up with the pride and insolence of her
husband's office, fat, frouzy, and not over-clean, well stricken in
years, without the least vestige of an agreeable feature, having a
rubicund nose, ferret eyes, and imperious aspect. The justice himself
was a little, affected, pert prig, who endeavoured to solemnise his
countenance by assuming an