The cheers subsided, and the mayor rose.  In the silence a high-pitched voice enquired from the rear of the hall, "Who said burglar?"  Some of the audience laughed, some cried "Shame!" and a shrill cry of "It wasn’t me!" and a scuffle announced that the chucker-out had proved more than equal to the occasion.  Noakes smiled blandly until the noise had ceased: then he began.