[Bill picks up a body under his arm.]
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 around 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.]
Come on, Bill.
[The Priest rushes to the door. The Toff knifes the last Priest from behind.]
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.
It wouldn't do for any one to see them.[Going to the window.]
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 have really come through this job very nicely.
BILL.
I think the first thing that we ought to do is to 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 a 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.
BILL.
Here's to Albert Thomas Esquire.
ALBERT.
And William Jones Esquire.
[Renter Sniggers terrified.]
THE TOFF.
Hullo, here's Jacob Smith Esquire, J. P., alias Sniggers, back again.
SNIGGERS.
Toffy, I've been a 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; vre'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 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.]