The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson – Swanston Edition. Volume 15. Robert Louis Stevenson

(to Jean). I can’t waste time on you, my girl. It’s now or never. Will you turn King’s evidence?

      Jean. I think ye’ll have made a mistake, like.

      Hunt. Well, I’m…! (Separating them.) (No, not yet; don’t push me.) George’s turn now. (To George.) George, I’ve a warrant in my pocket.

      Smith. As per usual, Jerry?

      Hunt. Now I want King’s evidence.

      Smith. Ah! so you came a cropper with her, Jerry. Pride had a fall.

      Hunt. A free pardon and fifty shiners down.

      Smith. A free pardon, Jerry?

      Hunt. Don’t I tell you so?

      Smith. And fifty down? fifty?

      Hunt. On the nail.

      Smith. So you came a cropper with her, and then you tried it on with me?

      Hunt. I suppose you mean you’re a born idiot?

      Smith. What I mean is, Jerry, that you’ve broke my heart. I used to look up to you like a party might to Julius Cæsar. One more of boyhood’s dreams gone pop! (Enter Moore, L.)

      Hunt (to both). Come, then, I’ll take the pair, and be damned to you. Free pardon to both, fifty down and the Deacon out of the way. I don’t care for you commoners, it’s the Deacon I want.

      Jean (looking off stolidly). I think the kirks are scalin’. There seems to be mair people in the streets.

      Hunt. O, that’s the way, is it? Do you know that I can hang you, my woman, and your fancy man as well?

      Jean. I daur say ye would like fine to, Mr. Hunt; and here’s my service to you. (Going.)

      Hunt. George, don’t you be a tomfool, anyway. Think of the blowen here, and have brains for two.

      Smith (going). Ah, Jerry, if you knew anything, how different you would talk! (They go off together, R.)

SCENE IIIHunt, Moore

      Hunt. Half a tick, Badger. You’re a man of parts, you are; you’re solid, you’re a true-born Englishman; you ain’t a Jerry-go-Nimble like him. Do you know what your pal the Deacon’s worth to you? Fifty golden Georges and a free pardon. No questions asked and no receipts demanded. What do you say? Is it a deal?