You're serving on a grand jury and must decide whether to indict anyone in today's deal. The district attorney relates the facts. When West opened 1NT, North doubled, East passed and South bid two clubs, passed out.

Lacking an attractive lead, West tried a trump. South won with the ten, led a trump to the jack and took the ace. He led a spade to his king, and West won and exited with a spade. South threw two diamonds on the high spades and next forced out the ace of hearts. West cashed his ace of diamonds. South claimed, making four.

Do you issue any true bills?

RISKY

North's double was risky - if the East and South cards were swapped, East would have redoubled - but it was a winning action.

South must stand trial for pulling North's double. North said he expected to beat 1NT, and South should pass with any balanced hand and especially with seven high-card points. Against 1NT doubled, North-South can be plus 800 or plus 1,100 - better than being plus 130.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 9 8 5 3 H 8 7 5 3 D 8 5 3 C 7 4. Your partner opens 1NT, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: This is not a fatuous question. Some players might risk two clubs, Stayman. Partner is likely to have four cards in a major suit, and a contract of two of a major should produce an extra trick or two. But if he bid two diamonds, you would have to pass. I admit that I would pass 1NT. To respond two clubs would make me too nervous.