Scene 6
Mr. Coyle’s Office in 2. High desk and stool, R. Modern box center against flat. Cabinet, L.
Asa Trenchard discovered looking over papers on box. Abel Murcott looking in desk.
Asa Trenchard
Have you found it?
Abel Murcott
No, Mr. Trenchard. I’ve searched all the drawers but can find no trace of it.
Asa Trenchard
What’s this?
Abel Murcott
That’s a cabinet where his father kept old deeds, the key he always carries about him.
Asa Trenchard
Oh, he does, does he? Well I reckon I saw a key as I came in that will open it. Exit, R. 1 E.
Abel Murcott
Key, oh, my poor muddled brain, what can he mean!
Asa Trenchard
Reenters with axe. Here’s a key that will open any lock that Hobb ever invented.
Abel Murcott
Key? what key?
Asa Trenchard
What key, why, Yankee. Shows axe, begins to break open Cabinet.
Enter Mr. Coyle, R. 2 E.
Mr. Coyle
Villains! would you rob me?
Abel Murcott
Stand off, Mr. Coyle, we are desperate. Now seizes him.
Asa Trenchard
Here it is a sure as there are snakes in Virginia. Let the old cuss go, Murcott.
Mr. Coyle
Burglars! oh, you shall dearly pay for this.
Asa Trenchard
Yes, I’ll pay—but I guess you’ll find the change.
Mr. Coyle
The law—the law shall aid me.
Asa Trenchard
Wal, perhaps it would be as well not to call in the law just yet. It might look a little further than might be convenient.
Abel Murcott
It’s no use to blunder, Mr. Coyle, you are harmless to us now, for we have that, that will crush you.
Mr. Coyle
Well, what are your conditions? money, how much?
Asa Trenchard
Wal, we warn’t thinking of coming down on your dollars. But you have an appointment with Sir Edward at two, haven’t you?
Mr. Coyle
Well?
Asa Trenchard
Well, I want you to keep that appointment.
Mr. Coyle
Keep it?
Asa Trenchard
Yes, and that’s all I do want you to keep of his, and instead of saying you have come to foreclose the mortgage, I want you to say, you have found the release which proves the mortgage to have been paid off.
Mr. Coyle
I accept. Is that all?
Asa Trenchard
Not quite. Then I want you to pay off the execution debts.
Mr. Coyle
What, I pay Sir Edward’s debts?
Asa Trenchard
Yes, with Sir Edward’s money that stuck to your fingers naturally while passing through your hands.
Mr. Coyle
To Abel Murcott. Traitor!
Abel Murcott
He knows all, Mr. Coyle.
Mr. Coyle
Is there anything more!
Asa Trenchard
Yes, I want you to apologize to Miss Florence Trenchard, for having the darned impudence to propose for her hand.
Mr. Coyle
What more?
Asa Trenchard
Then you resign your stewardship in favor of your clerk, Abel Murcott.
Mr. Coyle
What, that drunkard vagabond?
Asa Trenchard
Well, he was, but he’s going to take the pledge at the first pump he comes to.
Abel Murcott
Yes, I will conquer the demon drink, or die in the struggle with him.
Mr. Coyle
Well, anything more?
Asa Trenchard
Yes, I think the next thing will be to get washed. You’re not a handsome man at best, and now you’re awful. Mr. Coyle makes a dash at Abel Murcott. Asa Trenchard catches him and turns him round to R. Mr. Coyle, in your present state of mind, you had better go first.
Mr. Coyle
Bitterly. Oh, sir, it is your turn now.
Asa Trenchard
Yes, it is my turn, but you can have the first wash. Come along Murcott. Exeunt, R. 1 E.
Change scene.