Scene, the Inn.

Enter STURDY and GRACE.

Stur. Nay, nay, girl; he must be the man.

Grace. How is it possible that a gentleman capable of so generous an action should be guilty of one so

atrocious.

Stur. Why that does puzzle me and yet there has been a mystery about both of them ever since they arrived; they have cautiously concealed their names. If I have broken rather unawares upon them, they have immediately put an end to their conversation: and yet, that he should have the audacity to rob a a lawyer, too-in his own house- in the broad day—it puzzles me strangely. Here he comes; I'll put it roundly to him.

man

Enter CARELESS.

Carel. So, you have had a robbery in the village? Stur. What, you have heard of it, then?

Carel. One can hear of nothing else.

Stur. Have you seen the advertisement?

Carel. I pass'd one just now, but hadn't the curi

osity to read it.

Stur. It might have been worth your notice.

Carel. Is there then any thing particular in it? Stur. Very particular. I must come to the point. (Aside.) Young man, you are my friend, you saved you ́are me from a jail, and may this right arm rot from me, if ever it stirs a finger to help you into one.

Carel. What d'ye mean?

Stur. You are discovered.

Carel. That's unlucky, I meant to have kept my. self unknown till to-morrow at least.

Stur. So, so. (Aside to GRACE.) They are now in full pursuit after you.

Carel. In pursuit after me?

Stur. Ay, the blood-hounds of the law; and here

comes the first of the pack.

(Enter O'BLARNEY.)

Gra. Then 'tis all over with him.

Carel. What the devil can all this mean

?

O'Blar. What it means? it means no ill to those who mean well.

Carel. Speak, sir, to be understood: I don't apprehend you.

O'Blar. Apprehend me! there's no occasion for it: 'tis I that am to apprehend you.

Carel. Apprehend me?

O'Blar. Or some body very much like you; but as a man upon these occasions is apt to forget his own person. (Takes out one of the hand-bills.) Here

you may see yourself as plain as a modern beau in his boot tops, when he has clean'd them himself.

Carel. (Reading.) Blue coat, white waistcoat, leather breeches, and boots.

O'Blar. Do you happen to recollect such a gentleman?

Stur: 'Tis not the surprise of guilt.

Gra. No, he is innocent.

Carel. This is very extraordinary.

O'Blar. Extraordinary! What, that a gentleman should be like himself?

Carel. You, sir, I presume, are an officer of justice? O'Blar. A posse comitatus at your service.

Carel. I perceive a trifling mistake has arisen, which, to clear up, I suppose it will be necessary I should accompany you.

it?

O'Blar. Clear up! why you don't mean to deny

Carel. Would you have me confess a crime of which I am innocent?

O'Blar. By all means: won't it be more like an honest gentleman, to rob an attorney of some dirty pounds, shillings, and pence; than to defraud me of an hundred pounds, which I am to have for apprehending you

Carel. Why, that indeed I didn't consider.

O'Blar. I thought you couldn't have look'd upon it with both your eyes.

Stur. Perhaps it will be satisfactory that we all attend?

O'Blar. Certainly, you are all exculpated.
Carel. Very well, sir, we follow you.

O'Blar. And see you do it prettily, as the nominative case follows the verb.

Carel. The accusative, I believe.

O'Blar. Not in my grammar; that's one of the things I have set right.

Carel. Proceed, sir, you are our gentleman usher. O'Blarn. As much of the gentleman as you please, but as for usher-I've been a little above that for some time.

Enter Justice FIDGET and SPARROWHawke. Just. F. Well, but why didn't you tell me this morning that the fellow had robb'd you?

Sparr. I saw you were in such an agitation, thatJust. F. True, it might have been dangerous: well, I have caught two of them; one is a drunken servant, who has been doing his best to prevent my cellar from being over-stocked; the other calls himself a gentleman.

Sparr. Ay, so does every fellow now that doesn't come within the vagrant act. Here they are; now the powers of audacity assist me!

Enter O'BLARNEY, with CARELESS, STURDY, and GRACE. The Justice's Servants with CONSTANT. SOPHIA also appears.

Just. F. Keep them at a distance, be sure you keep them at a distance. Now, brother Sparrowhawke, do you see your man.

Sparr. That's he. (Pointing to CARELESS.)

Just. F. Bring him forward- Take care you hold him fast tho'.

O'Blar. That I will, for I hold an hundred pounds. Just. F. Pray, friend, what is your name?

Carel. That, for the present, must be a secret.

O'Blar. Perhaps not this bit of a letter found in his pocket

Sparr. Give it me

O'Blar. Not a bit of it, it's my business to read the evidence.

Just. F. Well, well, read, read, read.

O'Blar. (Reads.) "My dear uncle" (uncle? that's his favourite pawnbroker) "I take the earliest opportunity of acquainting you, that I have once more