"Here, ma'am?" said the magistrate. "Where, ma'am?"
"In Ipswich."
"In Ipswich, ma'am! A duel in Ipswich!" said the magistrate, perfectly aghast at the notion. "Impossible, ma'am; nothing of the kind can be contemplated in this town, I am persuaded. Bless my soul, ma'am, are you aware of the activity of our local magistracy? Do you happen to have heard, ma'am, that I rushed into a prize-ring on the fourth of May last, attended by only sixty special constables; and, at the hazard of falling a sacrifice to the angry passions of an infuriated multitude, prohibited a pugilistic contest between the Middlesex Dumpling and the Suffolk Bantam? A duel in Ipswich, ma'am! I don't think--I do not think," said the magistrate, reasoning with himself, "that any two men can have the hardihood to plan such a breach of the peace, in this town."
"My information is unfortunately but too correct," said the middle-aged lady, "I was present at the quarrel."
"It's a most extraordinary thing," said the astounded magistrate. "Muzzle!"
"Yes, your worship."
"Send Mr. Jinks here, directly! Instantly."
"Yes, your worship."
Muzzle retired; and a pale, sharp-nosed, half-fed, shabbily-clad clerk, of middle age, entered the room.
"Mr. Jinks," said the magistrate. "Mr. Jinks."
"Sir," said Mr. Jinks.
"This lady, Mr. Jinks, has come here, to give information of an intended duel in this town."
Mr. Jinks not knowing exactly what to do, smiled a dependent's smile.
"What are you laughing at, Mr. Jinks?" said the magistrate.
Mr. Jinks looked serious, instantly.
"Mr. Jinks," said the magistrate, "you're a fool."
Mr. Jinks looked humbly at the great man, and bit the top of his pen.
"You may see something very comical in this information, sir; but I can tell you this, Mr. Jinks; that you have very little to laugh at," said the magistrate.
The hungry-looking Jinks sighed, as if he were quite aware of the fact of his having very little indeed, to be merry about; and, being ordered to take the lady's information, shambled to a seat, and proceeded to write it down.
"This man, Pickwick, is the principal, I understand," said the magistrate, when the statement was finished.
"He is," said the middle-aged lady.
"And the other rioter--what's his name, Mr. Jinks?"
"Tupman, sir."
"Tupman is the second?"