"Here I be, and here I bide," said Eves, brandishing the poker.  "Don’t come too near, Mr. Smail.  You know so much about the law that you’ll be aware you’re committing a felony if you try to force your way in.  You don’t want to go to quod again, Mr. Smail, I’m sure.  Besides, I don’t think your head’s hard enough to stand a whack from this poker."