The Equinox (Volume I, Number VIII)

THE EQUINOX [Goes to cupboard and hrings ale and glasses. Seeing himself alone, he whispers, Safe ! Safe| dropping into the furtive, gleeful manner. Then suddenly HE seems to listen intently. All this time the others are heard of talking and laughing. HE goes R, shuts door, goes to place where corpse is, listens with ear to floor. With great terror, rising to his knees] JACK. It is—it is—low, slow, and solemn, but it is— again—again! God! Great God! they will hearl [Voiees louder, returning. JACK resumes hisfolly manner and shufiles about, pouring out the ale] [Re—enter OTHERS JACK. Well, did you find it all as I said? SERGEANT. Neighbour Clark, you’ll not hear the last ο’ this for many a long year. [Goes to table. Drinking bus] IST CONSTABLE. Burglars! ho! ho! ho! 2ND CONSTABLE. Murder! ha! ha! ha! SERGEANT. Here’s your health, Mr. Adams! JACK. Yours, neighbour Clark; no offence, man, no offence. [Aside] Louder, louder! they will hear it. CLARK. Well, I’m sure—— SERGEANT. Never be sure! The first great rule of a good officer. JACK. What? What? Ι say no—[louder]—I say no ! Know your own mind and stick to it. Let’s have a song—ah, what do you say? “A policeman's life is not a happy one "? SERGEANT. Why, it’s no trouble; it’s well worth coming across to talk to such a good fellow, and drink a glass of ale like this. JACK. Have some more! Sing, somebody—Clark, you sing. r40