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Read Ebook: The Ghost of Jerry Bundler by Jacobs W W William Wymark Rock Charles
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Ebook has 425 lines and 36186 words, and 9 pages
OMNES. Good-night.
BELDON . And I hope Jerry'll pay you a visit.
MALCOLM . Well, I'm going to have another whisky if you gentlemen will join me. I think it'll do us all good after that tale. George, take the orders.
SOMERS. Not quite so much hot water in mine.
MALCOLM. I'll have the same again, George.
BELDON. A leetle bit of lemon in mine, George.
LEEK. Whisky and soda for me, please.
HIRST. Whisky!
GEORGE . Shall I light the gas, Mr. Malcolm?
MALCOLM. No, the fire's very comfortable, unless any of you gentlemen prefer the gas.
OMNES. No, not at all--etc.
MALCOLM. Never mind, George. The firelight is pleasanter.
BELDON . Oh, I say--that'll do.
LEEK. Yes, I think you all look as if you'd heard enough ghost stories to do you the rest of your lives. And you're not all as anxious to see the real article as the old gentleman who's just gone.
HIRST . Old humbug! I should like to put him to the test. I say, suppose I dress up as Jerry Bundler and go and give him a chance of displaying his courage? I bet I'd make the old party sit up.
MALCOLM. Capital!
BELDON. A good idea.
LEEK. I shouldn't, if I were you.
HIRST. Just for the joke, gentlemen .
SOMERS. No, no--drop it, Hirst.
HIRST. Only for the joke. Look here, I've got some things that'll do very well. We're going to have some amateur theatricals at my house. We're doing a couple of scenes from "The Rivals," Somers, and I have been up to town to get the costumes, wigs, etc., to-day. I've got them up-stairs--knee-breeches, stockings, buckled shoes, and all that sort of thing. It's a rare chance. If you wait a bit, I'll give you a full dress rehearsal, entitled "Jerry Bundler, or the Nocturnal Stranger." .
LEEK . You won't frighten us, will you?
HIRST. I don't know so much about that--it's a question of acting, that's all.
MALCOLM. I'll bet you a level sov, you don't frighten me.
HIRST . A level sov. Done. I'll take the bet to frighten you first, and the old boy afterwards. These gentlemen shall be the judges.
BELDON . You won't frighten us because we're prepared for you, but you'd better leave the old man alone. It's dangerous play. .
HIRST. Well, I'll try you first. No gas, mind.
OMNES. No! no!
HIRST . I'll give you a run for your money.
LEEK . I think you'll win your bet, sir, but I vote we give him a chance. Suppose we have cigars round, and if he's not back by the time we've finished them I must be off, as I have a quarter of an hour's walk before me. He's a friend of yours, isn't he?
LEEK . Well, I hope he'll hurry up. It's getting pretty late.
MALCOLM. Well, gentlemen, your health!
SOMERS. Good luck.
LEEK. Hurrah!
BELDON. Chin-chin!
SOMERS. Oh, we missed the connection at Tolleston Junction and as the accommodation at the Railway Arms there was rather meagre, the Station Master advised us to drive on here, put up for the night, and catch the Great Northern express from Exton in the morning. Oh, George, that reminds me--you might see that 'Boots' calls us at 7 sharp.
GEORGE. Certainly, sir. What are your numbers?
SOMERS. 13 and 14.
GEORGE. I'll put it on the slate, special, sir.
LEEK. I beg pardon, gentlemen, I forgot the cigars; George, bring some cigars back with you.
BELDON. A very mild one for me.
GEORGE. Very well, sir.
MALCOLM. I think you were very wise coming on here. I stayed at the Railway Arms, Tolleston, once--never again though. Is your friend clever at acting?
SOMERS. I don't think he's clever enough to frighten you. I'm to spend Christmas at his place, and he's asked me to assist at the theatricals he spoke of. Nothing would satisfy him till I consented, and I must honestly say I am very sorry I ever did, for I expect I shall be pretty bad. I know I have scarcely slept a wink these last few nights, trying to get the words into my head.
MALCOLM. Why! Look--what the devil's the matter with George?
GEORGE. I've seen it, gentlemen.
OMNES. Seen who?
GEORGE. The ghost. Jer--Bun--
MALCOLM. Why, you're frightened, George.
GEORGE. Yes, sir. It was the suddenness of it, and besides I didn't look for seeing it in the bar. There was only a glimmer of light there, and it was sitting on the floor. I nearly touched it.
MALCOLM . It must be Hirst up to his tricks. George was out of the room when he suggested it. Pull yourself together, man.
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