Second S. I should know her in a minute; striking looking girl; had something in her face.  Daresay she’d seen hard times.

First S. We don’t want publicity.

Dawker.  Not Likely.  The threat’ll do it; but the stakes are heavy —­and the man’s a slugger; we must be able to push it home.  If you can both swear to her, it’ll do the trick.

Second S. And about—­I mean, we’re losing time, you know, coming down here.

Dawker. [With a nod at first stranger] George here knows me.  That’ll be all right.  I’ll guarantee it well worth your while.

Second S. I don’t want to do the girl harm, if she’s married.

Dawker.  No, no; nobody wants to hurt her.  We just want a cinch on this fellow till he squeals.

     [They separate a little as Mrs. Hillcrist enters from Right.]

Dawker.  Good morning, ma’am.  My friend’s partner.  Hornblower coming?

Mrs. H. At eleven.  I had to send up a second note, Dawker.

Dawker.  Squire not in?

Mrs. H. I haven’t told him.

Dawker. [Nodding] Our friends might go in here [Pointing Right] and we can use ’em as the want ’em.

Mrs. H. [To the strangers] Will you make yourselves comfortable?

     [She holds the door open, and they pass her into the room,
     Right.]

Dawker. [Showing document] I’ve had this drawn and engrossed.  Pretty sharp work.  Conveys the Centry, and Longmeadow; to the Squire at four thousand five hundred:  Now, ma’am, suppose Hornblower puts his hand to that, hell have been done in the eye, and six thousand all told out o’ pocket.—­You’ll have a very nasty neighbour here.

Mrs. H. But we shall still have the power to disclose that secret at any time.

Dawker.  Yeh!  But things might happen here you could never bring home to him.  You can’t trust a man like that.  He isn’t goin’ to forgive me, I know.

Mrs. H. [Regarding him keenly] But if he signs, we couldn’t honourably——­

Dawker.  No, ma’am, you couldn’t; and I’m sure I don’t want to do that girl a hurt.  I just mention it because, of course, you can’t guarantee that it doesn’t get out.

Mrs. H. Not absolutely, I suppose.

     [A look passes between them, which neither of them has quite
     sanctioned.]

     [There’s his car.  It always seems to make more noise than any
     other.]

Dawker.  He’ll kick and flounder—­but you leave him to ask what you want, ma’am; don’t mention this [He puts the deed back into his pocket].  The Centry’s no mortal good to him if he’s not going to put up works; I should say he’d be glad to save what he can.

     [Mrs. Hillcrist inclines her head.  Fellows enters Left.]