[The King, wrapped in a camel-driver's cloak, sits by Eznarza, a gypsy of the desert.]
King:
Now I have known the desert and dwelt in the tents of the Arabs.
Eznarza:
There is no land like the desert and like the Arabs no people.
King:
It is all over and done; I return to the walls of my fathers.
Eznarza:
Time cannot put it away; I go back to the desert that nursed me.
King:
Did you think in those days on the sands, or among the tents in the mornings, that my year would ever end, and I be brought away by strength of my word to the prisoning of a palace?
Eznarza:
I knew that Time would do it, for my people have learned the way of him.
King:
Is it then Time that has mocked our futile prayers? Is he then greater than God that he has laughed at our praying?
Eznarza:
We may not say that he is greater than God. Yet we prayed that our own year might not pass away. God could not save it.
King:
Yes, yes. We prayed that prayer. All men would laugh at it.
Eznarza:
The prayer was not laughable. Only he that is lord of the years is obdurate. If a man prayed for life to a furious, merciless Sultan well might the Sultan's slaves laugh. Yet it is not laughable to pray for life.
King:
Yes, we are slaves of Time. To-morrow brings the princess who comes from Tharba. We must bow our heads.
Eznarza:
My people say that Time lives in the desert. He lies there in the sun.
King:
No, no, not in the desert. Nothing alters there.
Eznarza:
My people say that the desert is his country. He smites not his own country, my people say. But he overwhelms all other lands of the world.
King:
Yes, the desert is always the same, even the littlest rocks of it.
Eznarza:
They say that he loves the Sphinx and does not harm her. They say that he does not dare to harm the Sphinx. She has borne him many gods whom the infidels worship.
King:
Their father is more terrible than all the false gods.
Eznarza:
O, that he had but spared our little year.
King:
He destroys all things utterly.
Eznarza:
There is a little child of man that is mightier than he, and who saves the world from Time.
King:
Who is this little child that is mightier than Time? Is it Love that is mightier?
Eznarza:
No, not Love.
King:
If he conquers even Love then none are mightier.
Eznarza:
He scares Love away with weak white hairs and with wrinkles. Poor little Love, poor Love, Time scares him away.
King:
What is this child of man that can conquer Time and that is braver than Love?
Eznarza:
Even Memory.
King:
Yes. I will call to him when the wind is from the desert and the locusts are beaten against my obdurate walls. I will call to him more when I cannot see the desert and cannot hear the wind of it.
Eznarza:
He shall bring back our year to us that Time cannot destroy. Time cannot slaughter it if Memory says no. It is reprieved, though banished. We shall often see it though a little far off and all its hours and days shall dance to us and go by one by one and come back and dance again.
King:
Why, that is true. They shall come back to us. I had thought that they that work miracles whether in Heaven or Earth were unable to do one thing. I thought that they could not bring back days again when once they had fallen into the hands of Time.
Eznarza:
It is a trick that Memory can do. He comes up softly in the town or the desert, wherever a few men are, like the strange dark conjurors who sing to snakes, and he does his trick before them, and does it again and again.
King:
We will often make him bring the old days back when you are gone to your people and I am miserably wedded to the princess coming from Tharba.
Eznarza:
They will come with sand on their feet from the golden, beautiful desert; they will come with a long-gone sunset each one over his head. Their lips will laugh with the olden evening voices.
King:
It is nearly noon. It is nearly noon. It is nearly noon.
Eznarza:
Why, we part then.
King:
O, come into the city and be Queen there. I will send its princess back again to Tharba. You shall be Queen in Thalanna.
Eznarza:
I go now back to my people. You will wed the princess from Tharba on the morrow. You have said it. I have said it.
King:
O, that I had not given my word to return.
Eznarza:
A King's word is like a King's crown and a King's sceptre and a King's throne. It is in fact a foolish thing, like a city.
King:
I cannot break my word. But you can be Queen in Thalanna.
Eznarza:
Thalanna will not have a gypsy for a Queen.
King:
I will make Thalanna have her for a Queen.
Eznarza:
You cannot make a gypsy live for a year in a city.
King:
I knew of a gypsy that lived once in a city.
Eznarza:
Not such a gypsy as I... come back to the tents of the Arabs.
King:
I cannot. I gave my word.
Eznarza:
Kings have broken their words.
King:
Not such a King as I.
Eznarza:
We have only that little child of man whose name is Memory.
King:
Come. He shall bring back to us, before we part, one of those days that were banished.
Eznarza:
Let it be the first day. The day we met by the well when the camels came to El-Lolith.
King:
Our year lacked some few days. For my year began here. The camels were some days out.
Eznarza:
You were riding a little wide of the caravan, upon the side of the sunset. Your camel was swinging on with easy strides. But you were tired.
King:
You had come to the well for water. At first I could see your eyes, then the stars came out, and it grew dark and I only saw your shape, and there was a little light about your hair: I do not know if it was the light of the stars, I only knew that it shone.
Eznarza:
And then you spoke to me about the camels.
King:
Then I heard your voice. You did not say the things you would say now.
Eznarza:
Of course I did not.
King:
You did not say things in the same way even.
Eznarza:
How the hours come dancing back!
King:
No, no. Only their shadows. We went together then to Holy Mecca. We dwelt alone in tents in the golden desert. We heard the wild free day sing sings in his freedom, we heard the beautiful night wind. Nothing remains of our year but desolate shadows. Memory whips them and they will not dance.
[Eznarza does not answer.]
We made our farewells where the desert was. The city shall not hear them.
[Eznarza covers her face. The King rises softly and walks up the steps. Enter L. the Chamberlain and Zabra, only noticing each other.]
Chamberlain:
He will come. He will come.
Zabra:
But it is noon now. Our fatness has left us. Our enemies mock at us. If he do not come God has forgotten us and our friends will pity us!
[Enter Bel-Narb and Aoob.]
Chamberlain:
If he is alive he will come.
Zabra:
I fear that it is past noon.
Chamberlain:
Then he is dead or robbers have waylaid him.
[Chamberlain and Zabra put dust upon their heads.]
Bel-Narb: [To Aoob.]
God is just!
[To Chamberlain and Zabra.]
I am the King!
[The King's hand is on the door. When Bel-Narb says this he goes down the steps again and sits beside the gypsy. She raises her head from her hands and looks at him fixedly. He watches Bel-Narb, and the Chamberlain and Zabra. He partially covers his face Arab fashion.]
Chamberlain:
Are you indeed the King?
Bel-Narb:
I am the King.
Chamberlain:
Your Majesty has altered much since a year ago.
Bel-Narb:
Men alter in the desert. And alter much.
Aoob:
Indeed, your Excellency, he is the King. When the King went into the desert disguised I fed his camel. Indeed he is the King.
Zabra:
He is the King. I know the King when I see him.
Chamberlain:
You have seen the King seldom.
Zabra:
I have often seen the King.
Bel-Narb:
Yes, we have often met, often and often.
Chamberlain:
If some one could recognize your Majesty, some one besides this man who came with you, then we should all be certain.
Bel-Narb:
There is no need of it. I am the King.
[The King rises and stretches out his hand palm downwards.]
King:
In holy Mecca, in green-roofed Mecca of the many gates, we knew him for the King.
Bel-Narb:
Yes, that is true. I saw this man in Mecca.
Chamberlain: [Bowing low.]
Pardon, your Majesty. The desert had altered you.
Zabra:
I knew your Majesty.
Aoob:
As well as I do.
Bel-Narb: [Pointing to the King.]
Let this man be rewarded suitably. Give him some post in the palace.
Chamberlain:
Yes, your Majesty.
King:
I am a camel-driver and we go back to our camels.
Chamberlain:
As you wish.
[Exeunt Bel-Narb, Aoob, Chamberlain and Zabra through door.]
Eznarza:
You have done wisely, wisely, and the reward of wisdom is happiness.
King:
They have their king now. But we will turn again to the tents of the Arabs.
Eznarza:
They are foolish people.
King:
They have found a foolish King.
Eznarza:
It is a foolish man that would choose to dwell among walls.
King:
Some are born kings, but this man has chosen to be one.
Eznarza:
Come, let us leave them.
King:
We will go back again.
Eznarza:
Come back to the tents of my people.
King:
We will dwell a little apart in a dear brown tent of our own.
Eznarza:
We shall hear the sand again, whispering low to the dawn wind.
King:
We shall hear the nomads stirring in their camps far off because it is dawn.
Eznarza:
The jackals will patter past us slipping back to the hills.
King:
When at evening the sun is set we shall weep for no day that is gone.
Eznarza:
I will raise up my head of a night time against the sky, and the old, old, unbought stars shall twinkle through my hair, and we shall not envy any of the diademmed queens of the world.
CURTAIN
A Night at an Inn
Dramatis Personæ
A. E. Scott-Fortescue (the Toff, dilapidated gentleman)
William Jones (Bill)
Albert Thomas
Jacob Smith (Sniggers) (All Merchant Sailors.)
1st Priest of Klesh
2nd Priest of Klesh
3rd Priest of Klesh
Klesh
[The Curtain rises on a room in an inn.]
[Sniggers and Bill are talking. The Toff is reading a paper. Albert sits a little apart.]
Sniggers:
What's his idea, I wonder?
Bill:
I don't know.
Sniggers:
And how much longer will he keep us here?
Bill:
We've been here three days.
Sniggers:
And 'aven't seen a soul.
Bill:
And a pretty penny it cost us when he rented the pub.
Sniggers:
'Ow long did 'e rent the pub for?
Bill:
You never know with him.
Sniggers:
It's lonely enough.
Bill:
'Ow long did you rent the pub for, Toffy?
[The Toff continues to read a sporting paper; he takes no notice of what is said.]
Sniggers:
'E's such a toff.
Bill:
Yet 'e's clever, no mistake.
Sniggers:
Those clever ones are the beggars to make a muddle. Their plans are clever enough, but they don't work, and then they make a mess of things much worse than you or me.
Bill:
Ah
Sniggers:
I don't like this place.
Bill:
Why not?
Sniggers:
I don't like the looks of it.
Bill:
He's keeping us here because those niggers can't find us. The three heathen priests what was looking for us so. But we want to go and sell our ruby soon.
Albert:
There's no sense in it.
Bill:
Why not, Albert?
Albert:
Because I gave those black devils the slip in Hull.
Bill:
You give 'em the slip, Albert?
Albert:
The slip, all three of them. The fellows with the gold spots on their foreheads. I had the ruby then, and I give them the slip in Hull.
Bill:
How did you do it, Albert?
Albert:
I had the ruby and they were following me....
Bill:
Who told them you had the ruby? You didn't show it?
Albert:
No.... But they kind of know.
Sniggers:
They kind of know, Albert?
Albert:
Yes, they know if you've got it. Well, they sort of mouched after me, and I tells a policeman and he says, O they were only three poor niggers and they wouldn't hurt me. Ugh! When I thought of what they did in Malta to poor old Jim.
Bill:
Yes, and to George in Bombay before we started.
Sniggers:
Ugh!
Bill:
Why didn't you give 'em in charge?
Albert:
What about the ruby, Bill?
Bill:
Ah!
Albert:
Well, I did better than that. I walks up and down through Hull. I walks slow enough. And then I turns a corner and I runs. I never sees a corner but I turns it. But sometimes I let a corner pass just to fool them. I twists about like a hare. Then I sits down and waits. No priests.
Sniggers:
What?
Albert:
No heathen black devils with gold spots on their face. I give 'em the slip.
Bill:
Well done, Albert.
Sniggers: [after a sigh of content]
Why didn't you tell us?
Albert:
'Cause 'e won't let you speak. 'E's got 'is plans and 'e thinks we're silly folk. Things must be done 'is way. And all the time I've give 'em the slip. Might 'ave 'ad one of them crooked knives in him before now but for me who give 'em the slip in Hull.
Bill:
Well done, Albert.
Sniggers:
Do you hear that, Toffy? Albert has give 'em the slip.
The Toff:
Yes, I hear.
Sniggers:
Well, what do you say to that?
The Toff:
O... Well done, Albert.
Albert:
And what a' you going to do?
The Toff:
Going to wait.
Albert:
Don't seem to know what 'e's waiting for.
Sniggers:
It's a nasty place.
Albert:
It's getting silly, Bill. Our money's gone and we want to sell the ruby. Let's get on to a town.
Bill:
But 'e won't come.
Albert:
Then we'll leave him.
Sniggers:
We'll be all right if we keep away from Hull.
Albert:
We'll go to London.
Bill:
But 'e must 'ave 'is share.
Sniggers:
All right. Only let's go. [to the Toff] We're going, do you hear? Give us the ruby.
The Toff:
Certainly.
[He gives them a ruby from his waistcoat pocket: it is the size of a small hen's egg.]
[He goes on reading his paper.]
Albert:
Come on, Sniggers.
[Exeunt Albert and Sniggers.]
Bill:
Good-bye, old man. We'll give you your fair share, but there's nothing to do here, no girls, no halls, and we must sell the ruby.
The Toff:
I'm not a fool, Bill.
Bill:
No, no, of course not. Of course you ain't, and you've helped us a lot. Good-bye. You'll say good-bye?
The Toff:
Oh, yes. Good-bye.
[Still reads paper. Exit Bill.]
[The Toff puts a revolver on the table beside him and goes on with his paper.]
Sniggers: [Out of breath.]
We've come back, Toffy.
The Toff:
So you have.
Albert:
Toffy--How did they get here?
The Toff:
They walked, of course.
Albert:
But it's eighty miles.
Sniggers:
Did you know they were here, Toffy?
The Toff:
Expected them about now.
Albert:
Eighty miles.
Bill:
Toffy, old man--what are we to do?
The Toff:
Ask Albert.
Bill:
If they can do things like this there's no one can save us but you, Toffy--I always knew you were a clever one. We won't be fools any more. We'll obey you, Toffy.
The Toff:
You're brave enough and strong enough. There isn't many that would steal a ruby eye out of an idol's head, and such an idol as that was to look at, and on such a night. You're brave enough, Bill. But you're all three of you fools. Jim would have none of my plans and where's Jim? And George. What did they do to him?
Sniggers:
Don't, Toffy!
The Toff:
Well, then, your strength is no use to you. You want cleverness; or they'll have you the way that they had George and Jim.
All:
Ugh!
The Toff:
Those black priests would follow you round the world in circles, year after year, till they got the idol's eye. And if we died with it they'd follow our grandchildren. That fool thinks he can escape men like that by running round three streets in the town of Hull.
Albert:
God's truth, you 'aven't escaped them, because they're 'ere.
The Toff:
So I supposed.
Albert:
You supposed?
The Toff:
Yes, I believe there's no announcement in the Society papers. But I took this country seat especially to receive them. There's plenty of room if you dig; it is pleasantly situated and what is most important it is in a very quiet neighbourhood. So I am at home to them this afternoon.
Bill:
Well, you're a deep one.
The Toff:
And remember you've only my wits between you and death, and don't put your futile plans against those of an educated gentleman.
Albert:
If you're a gentleman, why don't you go about among gentlemen instead of the likes of us?
The Toff:
Because I was too clever for them as I am too clever for you.
Albert:
Too clever for them?
The Toff:
I never lost a game of cards in my life.
Bill:
You never lost a game?
The Toff:
Not when there was money on it.
Bill:
Well, well.
The Toff:
Have a game of poker?
All:
No, thanks.
The Toff:
Then do as you're told.
Bill:
All right, Toffy.
Sniggers:
I saw something just then. Hadn't we better draw the curtains?
The Toff:
No.
Sniggers:
What?
The Toff:
Don't draw the curtains.
Sniggers:
O all right.
Bill:
But Toffy, they can see us. One doesn't let the enemy do that. I don't see why....
The Toff:
No, of course you don't.
Bill:
O all right, Toffy.
[All begin to pull out revolvers.]
The Toff: [putting his own away]
No revolvers, please.
Albert:
Why not?
The Toff:
Because I don't want any noise at my party. We might get guests that hadn't been invited. Knives are a different matter.
[All draw knives. The Toff signs to them not to draw them yet. Toffy has already taken back his ruby.]
Bill:
I think they're coming, Toffy.
The Toff:
Not yet.
Albert:
When will they come?
The Toff:
When I am quite ready to receive them. Not before.
Sniggers:
I should like to get this over.
The Toff:
Should you? Then we'll have them now.
Sniggers:
Now?
The Toff:
Yes. Listen to me. You shall do as you see me do. You will all pretend to go out. I'll show you how. I've got the ruby. When they see me alone they will come for their idol's eye.
Bill:
How can they tell like this which one of us has it?
The Toff:
I confess I don't know, but they seem to.
Sniggers:
What will you do when they come in?
The Toff:
I shall do nothing.
Sniggers:
What?
The Toff:
They will creep up behind me. Then my friends, Sniggers and Bill and Albert, who gave them the slip, will do what they can.
Bill:
All right, Toffy. Trust us.
The Toff:
If you're a little slow you will see enacted the cheerful spectacle that accompanied the demise of Jim.
Sniggers:
Don't, Toffy. We'll be there all right.
The Toff:
Very well. Now watch me.
[He goes past the windows to the inner door R.; he opens it inwards. Then under cover of the open door he slips down on his knee and closes it, remaining on the inside, appearing to have gone out. He signs to the others who understand. Then he appears to re-enter in the same manner.]
Now, I shall sit with my back to the door. You go out one by one so far as our friends can make out. Crouch very low to be on the safe side. They mustn't see you through the window.
[Bill makes his sham exit.]
The Toff:
Remember, no revolvers. The police are, I believe, proverbially inquisitive.
[The other two follow Bill. All three are now crouching inside the door R. The Toff puts the ruby beside him on the table. He lights a cigarette.]
[The door in back opens so slowly that you can hardly say at what moment it began. The Toff picks up his paper.]
[A Native of India wriggles along the floor ever so slowly, seeking cover from chairs. He moves L. where the Toff is. The three sailors are R. Sniggers and Albert lean forward. Bill's arm keeps them back. An armchair had better conceal them from the Indian. The black Priest nears the Toff.]
[Bill watches to see if any more are coming. Then he leaps forward alone (he has taken his boots off) and knifes the Priest.]
[The Priest tries to shout but Bill's left hand is over his mouth.]
[The Toff continues to read his sporting paper. He never looks round.]
Bill: [sotto voce]
There's only one, Toffy. What shall we do?
The Toff: [without turning his head]
Only one?
Bill:
Yes.
The Toff:
Wait a moment. Let me think.
[Still apparently absorbed in his paper.]
Ah, yes. You go back, Bill. We must attract another guest. Now are you ready?
Bill:
Yes.
The Toff:
All right. You shall now see my demise at my Yorkshire residence. You must receive guests for me.
[He leaps up in full view of the window, flings up both arms and falls on to the floor near the dead Priest.]
Now be ready.
[His eyes close.]
[There is a long pause. Again the door opens, very very slowly. Another Priest creeps in. He has three golden spots upon his forehead. He looks round, then he creeps up to his companion and turns him over and looks inside each of his clenched hands. Then he looks at the recumbent Toff. Then he creeps towards him. Bill slips after him and knifes him like the other with his left hand over his mouth.]
Bill: [sotto voce]
We've only got two, Toffy.
The Toff:
Still another.
Bill:
What'll we do?
The Toff: [sitting up]
Hum.
Bill:
This is the best way, much.
The Toff:
Out of the question. Never play the same game twice.
Bill:
Why not, Toffy?
The Toff:
Doesn't work if you do.
Bill:
Well?
The Toff:
I have it, Albert. You will now walk into the room. I showed you how to do it.
Albert:
Yes.
The Toff:
Just run over here and have a fight at this window with these two men.
Albert:
But they're----
The Toff:
Yes, they're dead, my perspicuous Albert. But Bill and I are going to resuscitate them.----. Come on.
[Bill picks up a body under the arms.]
That's right, Bill. [Does the same.] Come and help us, Sniggers---- [Sniggers comes] Keep low, keep low. Wave their arms about, Sniggers. Don't show yourself. Now, Albert, over you go. Our Albert is slain. Back you get, Bill. Back, Sniggers. Still, Albert. Mustn't move when he comes. Not a muscle.
[A Face appears at the window and stays for some time. Then the door opens and looking craftily round the third Priest enters. He looks at his companions' bodies and turns round. He suspects something. He takes up one of the knives and with a knife in each hand he puts his back to the wall. He looks to the left and right.]
The Toff:
Come on, Bill.
[The Priest rushes to the door. The Toff knifes the last Priest from behind.]
The Toff:
A good day's work, my friends.
Bill:
Well done, Toffy. Oh, you are a deep one.
Albert:
A deep one if ever there was one.
Sniggers:
There ain't any more, Bill, are there?
The Toff:
No more in the world, my friend.
Bill:
Aye, that's all there are. There were only three in the temple. Three priests and their beastly idol.
Albert:
What is it worth, Toffy? Is it worth a thousand pounds?
The Toff:
It's worth all they've got in the shop. Worth just whatever we like to ask for it.
Albert:
Then we're millionaires, now.
The Toff:
Yes, and what is more important, we no longer have any heirs.
Bill:
We'll have to sell it now.
Albert:
That won't be easy. It's a pity it isn't small and we had half a dozen. Hadn't the idol any other on him?
Bill:
No, he was green jade all over and only had this one eye. He had it in the middle of his forehead, and was a long sight uglier than anything else in the world.
Sniggers:
I'm sure we ought all to be very grateful to Toffy.
Bill:
And indeed we ought.
Albert:
If it hadn't 'ave been for him----
Bill:
Yes, if it hadn't 'a' been for old Toffy....
Sniggers:
He's a deep one.
The Toff:
Well, you see, I just have a knack of foreseeing things.
Sniggers:
I should think you did.
Bill:
Why, I don't suppose anything happens that our Toff doesn't foresee. Does it, Toffy?
The Toff:
Well, I don't think it does, Bill. I don't think it often does.
Bill:
Life is no more than just a game of cards to our old Toff.
The Toff:
Well, we've taken these fellows' trick.
Sniggers: [going to the window]
It wouldn't do for any one to see them.
The Toff:
O nobody will come this way. We're all alone on a moor.
Bill:
Where will we put them?
The Toff:
Bury them in the cellar, but there's no hurry.
Bill:
And what then, Toffy?
The Toff:
Why, then we'll go to London and upset the ruby business. We'll have really come through this job very nicely.
Bill:
I think the first thing we ought to do is give a little supper to old Toffy. We'll bury these fellows to-night.
Albert:
Yes, let's.
Sniggers:
The very thing.
Bill:
And we'll all drink his health.
Albert:
Good old Toffy.
Sniggers:
He ought to have been a general or a premier.
[They get bottles from cupboard, etc.]
The Toff:
Well, we've earned our bit of a supper.
[They sit down.]
Bill: [Glass in hand.]
Here's to old Toffy who guessed everything.
Albert and Sniggers:
Good old Toffy.
Bill:
Toffy who saved our lives and made our fortunes.
Albert and Sniggers:
Hear. Hear.
The Toff:
And here's to Bill who saved me twice to-night.
Bill:
Couldn't have done it but for your cleverness, Toffy.
Sniggers:
Hear, hear. Hear, hear.
Albert:
He foresees everything.
Bill:
A speech, Toffy. A speech from our general.
All:
Yes, a speech.
Sniggers:
A speech.
The Toff:
Well, get me some water. This whiskey's too much for my head, and I must keep it clear till our friends are safe in the cellar.
Bill:
Water. Yes, of course. Get him some water, Sniggers.
Sniggers:
We don't use water here. Where shall I get it?
Bill:
Outside in the garden.
[Exit Sniggers.]
Albert:
Here's to fortune. [They all drink.]
Bill:
Here's to Albert Thomas, Esquire. [He drinks.]
The Toff:
Albert Thomas, Esquire. [He drinks.]
Albert:
And William Jones Esquire.
The Toff:
Albert Jones, Esquire. [The Toff and Albert drink.]
[Re-enter Sniggers terrified.]
The Toff:
Hullo, here's Jacob Smith Esquire, J.P., alias Sniggers, back again.
Sniggers:
Toffy, I've been thinking about my share in that ruby. I don't want it, Toffy, I don't want it.
The Toff:
Nonsense, Sniggers, nonsense.
Sniggers:
You shall have it, Toffy, you shall have it yourself, only say Sniggers has no share in this 'ere ruby. Say it, Toffy, say it.
Bill:
Want to turn informer, Sniggers?
Sniggers:
No, no. Only I don't want the ruby, Toffy....
The Toff:
No more nonsense, Sniggers, we're all in together in this, if one hangs we all hang; but they won't outwit me. Besides, it's not a hanging affair, they had their knives.
Sniggers:
Toffy, Toffy, I've always treated you fair, Toffy. I was always one to say, Give Toffy a chance. Take back my share, Toffy.
The Toff:
What's the matter? What are you driving at?
Sniggers:
Take it back, Toffy.
The Toff:
Answer me; what are you up to?
Sniggers:
I don't want my share any more.
Bill:
Have you seen the police?
[Albert pulls out his knife.]
The Toff:
No, no knives, Albert.
Albert:
What then?
The Toff:
The honest truth in open court, barring the ruby. We were attacked.
Sniggers:
There's no police.
The Toff:
Well, then, what's the matter?
Bill:
Out with it.
Sniggers:
I swear to God...
Albert:
Well?
The Toff:
Don't interrupt.
Sniggers:
I swear I saw something what I didn't like.
The Toff:
What you didn't like?
Sniggers: [In tears.]
O Toffy, Toffy, take it back. Take my share. Say you take it.
The Toff:
What has he seen?
[Dead silence only broken by Sniggers' sobs. Then stony steps are heard.]
[Enter a hideous Idol. It is blind and gropes its way. It gropes its way to the ruby and picks it up and screws it into a socket in the forehead.]
[Sniggers still weeps softly; the rest stare in horror. The Idol steps out, not groping. Its steps move off then stops.]
The Toff:
O great heavens!
Albert: [In a childish, plaintive voice.]
What is it, Toffy?
Bill:
Albert, it is that obscene idol [in a whisper] come from India.
Albert:
It is gone.
Bill:
It has taken its eye.
Sniggers:
We are saved.
Off, a Voice: [With outlandish accent.]
Meestaire William Jones, Able Seaman.
[The Toff has never spoken, never moved. He only gazes stupidly in horror.]
Bill:
Albert, Albert, what is this?
[He rises and walks out. One moan is heard. Sniggers goes to window. He falls back sickly.]
Albert: [In a whisper.]
What has happened?
Sniggers:
I have seen it. I have seen it. O I have seen it. [He returns to table.]
The Toff: [Laying his hand very gently on Sniggers' arm, speaking softly and winningly.]
What was it, Sniggers?
Sniggers:
I have seen it.
Albert:
What?
Sniggers:
O.
Voice:
Meestaire Albert Thomas, Able Seaman.
Albert:
Must I go, Toffy? Toffy, must I go?
Sniggers: [Clutching him.]
Don't move.
Albert: [Going.]
Toffy, Toffy. [Exit.]
Voice:
Meestaire Jacob Smith, Able Seaman.
Sniggers:
I can't go, Toffy. I can't go. I can't do it.
[He goes.]
Voice:
Meestaire Arnold Everett Scott-Fortescue, late Esquire, Able Seaman.
