Chapter 8
"YES, I know Nippy," said Bill Dicker when he was consulted. "He used to be with the Sheffield Safe Corporation, one of their best workmen before he went on the crook. I never knew why he did it— he was underpaid, and maybe there was a woman in it somewhere. I should think that's more than likely, because women and their unreliability is his chief topic of conversation. He was up before an Old Bailey judge at the beginning of this year, and made a sensation by challenging all the women on the jury. You remember the newspaper story?" Jimmy nodded. He recalled very well the prisoner who had publicly stated that he would rather be hanged by men than acquitted by women. Jimmy secretly admired his courage, if he deplored his lack of gallantry.
"He was acquitted by the he-jury, anywa
