Asked if anything was known about the accused, Inspector Sinclair said he had been twice convicted.
Accused admitted this was his second offence in Shanghai. He had been in Harbin and - Siberia for some time, having had to leave Shanghai because he could not get employment owing to his previous convictions. If he tried to get a job the police followed him up and he was dismissed. What was a man to do in these circumstances?
His Worship—If J were to accept a hard luck story excuse for swindling, I should have to let a great many people off. There are some excellent charity organizations here, so that no man need starve.
Accused—I have had experience of charity organizations here before. I could get nothing out of them.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.