Chapter 110

_ARETHUSA (at back of stage by the door); GAUNT (front L.); to these, PEW, C._

PEW (_sotto voce_). All snug. (_Coming down._) So that was you, my young friend Christopher, as shot by me on the road; and so you was hot foot after old Pew? Christopher, my young friend, I reckon I'll have the bowels out of that chest, and I reckon, you'll be lagged and scragged for it. (_At these words ARETHUSA locks the door, and takes the key._) What's that? All still. There's something wrong about this room. Pew, my 'art of oak, you're queer to-night; brace up and carry on. Where's the tool? (_Producing knife._) Ah, here she is; and now for the chest; and the gold; and rum--rum--rum. What! Open?... old clothes, by God!... He's done me; he's been before me; he's bolted with the swag; that's why he ran: Lord wither and waste him forty year for it! O Christopher, if I had my fingers on your throat! Why didn't I strangle the soul out of him? I heard the breath squeak in his weasand; and Jack Gaunt pulled me off. Ah, Jack, that's another I owe you. My pious friend, if I was God Almighty for five minutes! (_GAUNT rises and begins to pace the stage like a quarter-deck, L._) What's that? A man's walk. He don't see me, thank the blessed dark! But it's time to slip, my bo. (_He gropes his way stealthily till he comes to GAUNT'S table, where he burns his hand in the candle._) A candle--lighted--then it's bright as day! Lord God, doesn't he see me? It's the horrors come alive. (_GAUNT draws near and turns away._) I'll go mad, mad! (_He gropes to the door, stopping and starting._) Door. (_His voice rising for the first time, sharp with terror._) Locked? Key gone? Trapped! Keep off--keep off of me--keep away! (_Sotto voce again._) Keep your head, Lord have mercy, keep your head. I'm wet with sweat. What devil's den is this? I must out--out! (_He shakes the door vehemently._) No? Knife it is, then--knife--knife--knife! (_He moves with the knife raised towards GAUNT, intently listening and changing his direction as GAUNT changes his position on the stage._)

ARETHUSA (_rushing to intercept him_). Father, father, wake!

GAUNT. Hester, Hester! (_He turns, in time to see ARETHUSA grapple PEW in the centre of the stage, and PEW force her down._)

ARETHUSA. Kit! Kit!

PEW (_with the knife raised_). Pew's way!