'Tain't me juty to arrist monkeys, an 'twould not be becomin' t' the' dignity iv an officer iv th' law, anyway, t' be seen draggin' a baste iv thim proportions through the street." Mr.Hobbs protested indignantly, and beerily, but the constable explained that according to a strict reading of the Act, dogs were not liable to arrest, "and in the oye iv th' law," he said, "monkeys is dogs." Eventually, Ivo Hobbs went away in Constable Dunne's company to take out a summons.

The policeman endeavoured to persuade him to summon Professor Thunder, as the Missing Link's next of kin, but Hobbs stood drunkenly to his belief that the monkey was a man, and so the summons was made out against Mahdi, and was solemnly delivered, citing the Missing Link to appear at the Waddy Police Court on the following morning at 10 o'clock.
"Here's a pickle," growled the proprietor of the world-famous Museum of Marvels.
The Missing Link scratched his head over the document.

"I'm nothing of a lawyer," he said, "but I've had a good deal of experience of police courts, and never knew a monkey to be proceeded against for assault--in fact, nothing lower in the animal kingdom than a Chinaman is amenable to the law." As a result of a long conference, Professor Thunder went out that evening and cultivated the acquaintance of John Lidlow, J.P.John Lidlow, Esq., J.P., was the local butcher, and Professor Thunder found him a very companionable man with an amiable weakness for raw whiskey.
Affectionately they made a night of it, and in the morning they had a mutual pick-me-up.

The pick-me-up was concocted of knock-me-down rum and colonial beer, and ran into several editions.
John Lidlow, Esq., J.P., was uncommonly sleepy and preternaturally solemn in court when the case of Hobbs versus Mahdi was called on for hearing.
Ivo Hobbs explained his grievance clearly, and when the defendant was called upon, Professor Thunder stepped forward and explained: "The defendant, Your Worship, is my justly-celebrated man-monkey, Mahdi, the Missing Link." "Is he a man or a monkey ?" asked the court, drowsily, opening one eye.
"He's a bit of both, but mainly monkey, Your Worship." "It's a lie, he's a man," cried Hobbs.
"Silence in the Court!" said His Worship, with portentous hauteur, "or I'll give you ten days for contempt.

The defendant must be brought before us." "But, Your Worship," exclaimed the Professor, "it would not be safe, I assure you, The animal is wild.