[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.