Act 4 — SCENE II

To these Brodie

Moore. Waiting for you, Deacon.

Brodie. I see. Everything ready?

Smith. All a-growing and a-blowing.

Brodie. Give me the light. (Briefly examines tools and door with bull’s eye.) You, George, stand by, and hand up the pieces. Ainslie, take the glim. Moore, out and watch.

Moore. I didn’t come here to do sentry-go, I didn’t.

Brodie. You came here to do as I tell you. (Moore goes up slowly.) Second bunch, George. I know the lock. Steady with the glim. (At work.) No good. Give me the centrebit.

Smith. Right. (Work continues. Ainslie drops lantern.)

Brodie. Curse you! (Throttling and kicking him.) You shake, and you shake, and you can’t even hold a light for your betters. Hey?

Ainslie. Eh Deacon, Deacon . . .

Smith. Now Ghost! (With lantern.)

Brodie. ’St, Moore!

Moore. Wot’s the row?

Brodie. Take you the light.

Moore (to Ainslie). Wo’ j’ yer shakin’ at? (Kicks him.)

Brodie (to Ainslie). Go you, and see if you’re good at keeping watch. Inside the arch. And if you let a footfall pass, I’ll break your back. (Ainslie retires.) Steady with the light. (At work with centrebit.) Hand up number four, George. (At work with picklock.) That has it.

Smith. Well done our side.

Brodie. Now the crow bar! (At work.) That’s it. Put down the glim, Badger, and help at the wrench. Your whole weight, men! Put your backs to it! (While they work at the bar, Brodie stands by, dusting his hands with a pocket-handkerchief. As the door opens.) Voilà! In with you.

Moore (entering with light). Mucking fine work too, Deacon!

Brodie. Take up the irons, George!

Smith. How about the P(h)antom?

Brodie. Leave him to me. I’ll give him a look. (Enters office.)

Smith (following). Houp-là!