POS. I beg your pardon, I looked on in silent astonishment.
MRS. S. But you ought to have made a noise.
POS. So I did--I tumbled down backwards into a lot of grocery.
(_from the beginning of this Scene between MRS.
SOMERTON and POSTLETHWAITE it has gradually become
daylight_)
MRS. S. And to think that he should be allowed to effect his escape!
What shall I do?
POS. Do? Take example by me, show a proper spirit like me, and send
for the police.
MRS. S. We have none.
POS. No police! (_suddenly recollecting_) but _I_ have, of course, and
a superintendent into the bargain--here--in my pocket.
MRS. S. You've got a superintendent of police in your pocket?
POS. Yes--no; but I've got his appointment--that's the same thing,
besides he's a friend of mine; I'll run for him this moment, and in
less than ten minutes we'll have him here dead or alive; I mean my
friend--no--the robber--no, my friend. (_running to door, L. C._)
Holloa, this door's locked (_running to mantel-piece and about to ring
the bell_) and the bell rope's cut (_suddenly_) ah! the ruffian has
left his pistols behind him. (_seizing pistols off the mantel-piece_)
Stand out of the way, cousin. (_rushing to window_)
MRS. S. What are you about to do?
POS. Do? send a bullet through his body.
MRS. S. Pshaw! Why you can't even see him.
POS. Then I'm the more likely to hit him; besides, it will raise an
alarm at all events. (_pulling both triggers as he points the pistols
out at window_) Holloa they're not loaded! (_suddenly_) Oh, if I had
only known that. (_about to get out at the window_)
MRS. S. Cousin, what are you about?
POS. Why, as I can't get out by the door, I must have recourse to the
window. (_getting out_)
MRS. S. And this for me! Oh, how kind of you, Cousin; but pray mind
how you get down!
POS. Don't be alarmed; it's a precious deal easier than getting up!
besides I know every inch of the road; so good bye, cousin, and in my
way to my friend the superintendent, I'll knock up all the neighbours
and tell them to scour the country; we'll find your fifteen thousand
pounds again for you. (_gets quite out and gradually disappears_) So
don't give way--keep up as I do. Oh, lud. (_suddenly disappears
altogether--loud noise of broken glass heard_)
MRS. S. He's fallen! (_calling out of window_) Cousin! cousin!
POS. (_from without_) It's all right. I've only tumbled into a
cucumber frame or something of the sort. I can have the bits of glass
taken out of me when I get back.
MRS. S. (_looking out_) There he runs, but he's without his hat!
(_calling aloud_) Cousin! cousin! you've dropped your hat! he doesn't
hear me.
PEGGY. (_without at door, L. C._) Missus--missus, the door's locked.
(_unlocks door and runs in followed by DAVID, both have their
night-caps on, and DAVID carries an old fashioned blunderbuss_) Oh,
ma'am, what's all this noise about--what does it all mean?
DAVID. Ees, what do it all mean?
MRS. S. It means, my poor Peggy, that I have been robbed.
PEGGY. Robbed, but not murdered, I hope.
MRS. S. (_smiling_) No, not quite, though I am almost dead with alarm!
David, have you seen no one?
DAVID. No, ma'am--no one but your cousin, master Percy, who arrived
about half an hour before you came home.
MRS. S. Yes, yes, I know; but there was another.
DAVID. Then I didn't let _him_ in, and I know he can't have gone out
again without my seeing him. (_aside_) To be sure I've been fast
asleep all the time.
MRS. S. Then perhaps he's still in the house?
PEGGY. Lud a mercy! (_getting behind DAVID, who in his turn tries to
get behind PEGGY_)
DAVID. (_suddenly as he looks towards window, R. in flat_) Look,
ma'am, if there ben't Sergeant Jones of the rural police riding along
the lane at the bottom of the garden. (_running to window and
shouting_) Here, Sergeant Jones, stop--he hears me, ma'am.
MRS. S. This is fortunate indeed; so run, David, and give him
information of the robbery; tell him that he may rely on the most
liberal reward. (_DAVID about to run off_) and, David, tell him also,
should he discover any clue, that he must communicate with his
superintendent here--that I expect him every moment; run, David.
(_DAVID runs off at L. C._) and you, Peggy, go down stairs and be
ready to open the door; I will go to my room for a few minutes.
PEGGY. Do, ma'am; it'll do you good to lie down a bit; it's broad
day-light--just till Mr. Superintendent comes. (_MRS. SOMERTON enters
her room, L._)
PEGGY. (_looking after her_) Poor missus--she's lost all her treasures
except me.
_Exit at door, L. C._
POS. (_without_) I tell you it's all right, so come along.