Jamaica Inn Page #7

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Hold on.

- We've got to go careful.

- What's the matter?

We don't want our justice of the peace

found here dead. People might talk.

- He won't be found.

- But he might be missed.

Maybe they knew he was coming here.

- We've got to finish him.

- Surely,

but that takes a little thinking over

and there's no time for that now.

We're doing another wreck.

- Tonight?

- Nine o'clock.

We'll fix them when we come back.

Get a couple of ropes there.

JOSS:
Chairs.

No, I'll do him. It'll be a pleasure.

Do you think I came here just for you?

I told you, there's somebody behind Joss.

If you wait here long enough, you'll see him.

He's coming here tonight.

You shut your gab. Playing for time, are you?

You'd like to see us miss that wreck we're doing

tonight. We wouldn't miss it for worlds.

Joss, finished trussing His Worship?

Let's make 'em nice and snug.

And while we're away, we've got to think

of a nice little accident for you.

Now, what would Your Worship fancy?

A choice coach over the cliffs?

Or perhaps you'd sooner be caught by the tide

with our friend Jem here

on a nice, comfortable, cosy part of the beach.

That's it. In death they shall not be divided.

I warn you, all of you, if you lay a finger

on either of us, you'll pay for it.

You'll end swinging in the wind at

Execution Dock with tar to keep the weather out.

- It's time we went.

- Well, who's going to stay with them?

What about Salvation?

He can talk to Mr Trehearne about eternity.

SALVATION:
Him? Not me.

We'll need all hands on shore. Patience'll watch

'em. The women are locked in the bedroom.

I'm sorry to see you here, Willie Penhale.

I told you when you were up before me

for poaching you were among evil companions.

You should have listened to me, my boy.

It looks as though your wish is going to come

true. You might just as well have left me.

- What's she doing here?

- She came here to warn us.

- She started the whole thing. I don't see why...

- I'll look after her.

I've got a nice job for you, Patience.

Take this and watch the two gentlemen.

HARRY:
You can't leave a woman in charge.

- I'll need you lot down at the beach.

They're tied. This is all the better for a finger

that's nervous, like, on the trigger.

I shouldn't move, bearing that in mind. You

wouldn't like your suit spoiled with a bullet hole.

You'll have no call to use it, most likely.

Come on. Look lively now!

- Patience, you can't leave them like...

- You're coming with us.

Take your hands off her.

You can't take her to the wreck.

Of course not. I'm going to leave her behind

to cut you loose for the second time in 24 hours.

Come on now.

Merlyn!

You'll answer to me for her safety.

Yes, Your Worship.

(Door is bolted)

- What's happened to the military?

- Something must have delayed them.

- If they'd come, we could save the wreck.

- We don't know where it's going to be.

- Our man came here, but he left before us.

- How do you mean?

Or Joss wouldn't have known about the wreck.

I warn you, Mrs Merlyn, if Captain Boyle

finds you like that, nothing will save you.

This is very annoying.

I told Chadwick I'd be back for dinner.

Mrs Merlyn,

I wonder if that pistol is loaded.

You're inexperienced in these things.

Would you like me to look?

- That'll never work.

- Very well, Mrs Merlyn.

Let's see if it's properly primed.

You're not fully conversant with the facts.

I know your husband better than you do.

He would no more have loaded that pistol

than he would have left me helpless,

which would have been quite absurd.

As I thought.

Now, Mrs Merlyn.

I've always admired

your devotion to your husband.

The woman shall cleave to the man,

even if the man is our friend Joss.

Admirable. Now, if this officer should escape...

...your husband will pay for it with his life,

so I needn't stress the importance

of the task I'm giving you.

There.

Watch him. Closely.

If there's the slightest chance of him getting free,

don't hesitate to shoot him.

Just get firm pressure on the trigger.

On the trigger.

And all will be well.

No.

JEM:
You've forgotten one thing.

Captain Boyle.

There's still the military to reckon with.

There is no Captain Boyle.

In consequence, there'll be no military.

(Door slams shut)

Mrs Merlyn, you've got to let me go.

- Quick!

- Please. Don't move.

JOSS:
Whoa! Take her round. Take her round.

Whoa!

Up to the beacon with you. Quick!

- Can't I join in the wreck?

- When you're grown to a man's size, maybe.

- I never see anything.

- Off with you!

(Harry whistles)

Would you like me to bring you back a nice ring?

Not including the finger, if you follow me.

Come down out of there!

Hold on to her, Catchpole.

Mrs Merlyn, where is the wreck going to be?

I don't know.

You can't let it happen. You must set me free.

Innocent men and women are going to die.

You'll be responsible.

You love your husband, I know that.

And I know it's my duty to take him if I can.

But the men on that ship have wives, too.

Think of yourself if Joss was on board.

That ship sailing down

from Falmouth in the gale.

Somewhere on the shore, a beacon is going out.

Can you see the rest?

The ship striking. Men spread out like flies,

clinging to the rigging, screaming at the surf.

And after the wreck, the wolves.

That's why you must let me go.

Tell me where that wreck is.

I can't. I can't. I don't know, I tell you.

I've never known.

Mrs Merlyn!

Let me go now and I'll find out where it is.

Hurry! There's hardly time.

I can't. What will happen to Joss?

You must make a choice. The lives of those men

and of other men in the future or Joss?

After all, Joss is only one man.

Yes, but he's my man.

Mrs Merlyn, supposing I allow your husband...

Hey!

- Whoa-up!

- Where's the nearest military garrison?

- Bodmin. Why?

- I want your coach.

Give me those reins in the name of the law.

Here's my warrant.

There she is! Look!

HELMSMAN:
A light! Barnard's Head!

MURRAY:
Hard a'port.

(Angry cries from gang)

She's the one that did it.

Women are no good here, bring you bad luck.

All right, Joss. You leave her to us.

We'll manage very nicely. Thank you.

DANDY:
I'm sure you'll agree, Harry.

This calls for my attention.

This is where I come into my own.

Let her go! Get into that cart quick.

Keep back there.

- You can't take her.

- She's robbed us of our best cargo ever.

- Fetch her down.

MARY:
Robbed you? Thank heaven!

Robbed of your chance to stuff your pockets

by murdering innocent devils you've never seen.

I'm glad. I don't care what happens.

- I'm glad!

- Shut your mouth, you little fool!

I don't know how long my business will take me.

- I may be away for some weeks.

- Very good, sir.

- Sir Humphrey!

- What is it, Sam?

I couldn't deliver this note.

The regiment left Truro three weeks ago.

- Nobody's heard of any Captain Boyle.

- Extraordinary.

- Shall I try Bodmin?

- No, no, it's of no importance.

That'll be all, Chadwick.

I can't give you my address in France.

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