The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad Page #2

your knowledge, without funds?

That is all! Thank you!

Gentlemen of the jury,

the Crown rests.

Counsel for the defence

will present his case.

My lord, with the

court's indulgence,

I rise prepared to

plead my own defence.

Stop it.

Gentlemen of the jury...

I call, as my first

witness, Cyril Proudbottom.

Are you acquainted with the

defendant, J Thaddeus Toad?

Lord love a duck, yes! He's one of

the jolliest chaps I've run across.

And simply tons of money.

Good fellow? Throws it away.

But he wasn't throwing

it away that day!

You heard Mr MacBadger testify

that his allowance was cut off.

Then how did he get a motorcar?

The only way a gentleman

gets anything.

- The honest way.

- And what is the honest way?

I thought you wouldn't know!

Your Lordship, I...

The witness may testify

in his own words.

Righto, guv'nor.

I'll just give you the facts.

When Toady escaped from his boudoir

he headed straight for my place.

Soon we was off down the highway,

but we hadn't gone far, I confess,

when, with a rush and a roar...

something passed

like the London Express.

It was big, it was

red, it was beautiful.

A motorcar, a bit of alright.

Toady was transfixed

with... rapture.

You could tell it was

love at first sight.

The motor pulled up to a tavern,

wherein was located a bar.

And we watched while some

tough-looking weasels

got out of that lovely red car.

Now, weasels, I know,

are deceitful.

And not to be trusted, at all.

But how could I know

they'd stolen that car?

I didn't have no crystal ball.

The guv'nor is not one to dally.

He made up his mind

like a flash. He says...

Try it for size, my good Cyril,

while I see what they'll

take for it, cash.

Into the tavern he saunters, where

the barman was back of the bar.

And he said,

Cheerio, tavern keeper. Who's the

owner of that... hot-looking car?

The barman, a codger named Winky,

leaned over the bar and said,

- Why?

- The guv'nor answered,

That car must be mine!

Whatever the price is, I'll buy.

But Toad found he hadn't no money.

So, he promptly offered a trade.

The weasels appeared to be willing.

In a moment, the bargain was made.

Toady drawed up a paper, with

almost incredible speed.

He called on old Winky the barman

to... pop over and

witness the deed.

Now, the guv'nor is not a bit stingy.

He never does anything small.

The weasels gave him

the red motorcar,

and he gave the weasels Toad Hall.

Traded Toad Hall? An estate

worth 100,000 for a motorcar?

You expect me to believe that?

I don't expect you

to believe anything.

Fortunately, I can produce

a witness. Call Mr Winky!

My lord, gentlemen,

facing you in the witness box is a

citizen of substance and standing.

A man of unimpeachable honesty.

Now, Mr Winky, do you recall

an incident that took place

in your... establishment

last August 12th,

that I was a party to?

Yes, sir, that I do.

Well, then... just tell the

court what actually happened.

Well, guv'nor,

you tried to sell me

a stolen motorcar.

That's a deliberate lie,

you monkey-faced rum pot!

I've been framed! Let me go! Help!

Toad guilty!

Toad's disgrace rocked the nation.

The court was determined

to make an example of him.

Toad's friends tried to help

him, but were always blocked.

They must've reopened

the case a dozen times.

Appeals to this court, that court

any court. But the decision stood.

The case of J Thaddeus

Toad was closed.

Merry, merry Christmas time

Bind every heart with happiness

Let everyone...

Yes, once again, it was

a white Christmas.

Melodies of Yuletide hung

sweet upon the winter's air.

Hearts were gay and spirits high.

Indeed, in all the city,

only one spot was untouched by

the warmth of Christmas cheer.

The Tower, grim monument to

despair. Cold, cruel, forbidding,

and the abode of Toad for a

good many Christmases to come.

Poor Toad. Alone with

memories of his wasted life.

What a fool he'd been!

With many a pang he recalled the

kindly face of Angus MacBadger,

and his sage advice,

so often scorned.

A tear for Moley, too, for his

loyalty, sympathy, understanding.

Toad wept for Rat, and all those

little lectures so often laughed at.

Yes, within the dark confines

of his miserable cell,

a new Toad was born. A reformed

Toad, a repentant Toad.

In a flood of remorse, he

vowed to forsake the follies

of the Primrose path.

Never again would he give way

to those mad, foolish manias

that had brought him

to this sorry end.

As it's Christmas, you're

allowed a visitor.

- Your grandma's here.

- Grandma?

Merry Christmas, sonny!

Granny wouldn't forget

her little Toady boy!

Look, Christmas gift.

- What is it?

- Don't you get it?

A disguise.

All you've got to do is put on

this natty little costume and...

Alas for good intentions.

Toad was incurable.

One whispered word and

all his high resolve

vanished in the mad whirl

of this new adventure.

This new mania! Escape!

Toad's escaped!

Halt!

Good evening, ma'am.

Good evening to you, Officer.

We're merrily, merrily, merrily...

Begging your pardon, but you...

You fellows, do you see him?

Gad, what perfectly ripping luck!

Trap Toad, would they?

Never!

- There he goes!

- Where?

Over there!

Blockheads! Let them

scour the countryside.

Once more, J Thaddeus

Toad had the last laugh.

That Christmas Eve,

along the riverbank,

the name of Toad was

banned from conversation,

lest the memory of his disgrace

becloud the merriment of the season.

Yet there was one home, at

least, in which two loyal hearts

still held the warmth

of Christian charity.

Bless this good food

we are about to enjoy.

Bless us, every one.

And... bless poor Toad.

And may he get time off

for good behaviour.

Why, it's a poor old lady.

Let's take her over by the fire.

What are you doing here?

I was just sort of...

Well, this is a merry Christmas!

But... aren't you

afraid of the police?

Afraid of the police?

I, Toad, afraid of the police?

- Open up, I say!

- The police!

Hide me, Ratty!

Sorry, but you owe

a debt to society.

And you've got to pay.

Mole, let them in.

But, Ratty, don't

you think, maybe...

Open the door!

- MacBadger!

- Hi, lads!

I've just made a very

important discovery.

Toad Hall is ablaze with lights

and in possession of

a pack of weasels.

And the leader of the gang

is none other than Mr...

Winky!

Hip, hip...

Hooray!

And so, you see,

he did trade Toad Hall

for the motorcar!

- Toad was innocent all the time.

- Aye, lads.

And if he were only

here right now...

- Toad!

- Angus!

Sorry, Toad, I misjudged you.

I hope, someday, you'll

find it in your heart...

Not another word.

To err is human, to forgive...

Not so fast!

You're still guilty in

the eyes of the law.

To prove your innocence, we've got

to get that paper away from Winky!

Now, I have a plan.

We'll sneak in through

the secret tunnel.

It was an expert plan, cunningly

contrived but extremely dangerous.

It would work only if each did his

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