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.
O 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 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 acoompanied 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 reenter 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 has sham exit.]
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.
[Sitting Up.]
Still another.
BILL.
What'll we do ?
THE TOFF.
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.