In my address to the jury of matrons I was able to show pretty clearly
that the crime was the work of a gang. I proved that Denys and Joan
must have done the bulk of the dirty work, under the tactical direction
of the Barkers, who did the rest; while in the background was the
sinister figure of Mr. Winthrop, the strategical genius, the lurking
Macchiavelli of the gang.
The jury were not long in considering their verdict. They said: “We
find, your Lordship, that you did it yourself, with some lady or ladies
unknown.”
That comes of being a professional humorist....