The Oblong Box Page #2

- When is he going to be buried?

- As soon as youve found another body.

I dont understand.

Its been so long since there was

a funeral in this family, Trench.

Youve forgotten.

The Markhams go to their grave

with a sense of occasion.

The villagers must pay their respects.

We must lie in state for the world to see.

But we wouldnt want the world to see

what Edward was really like.

So you want another body

for the villagers to look at?

Correct. Edward is already in his coffin.

Once the town has gaped at the proxy

corpse, then we can bury the real one.

I wont be involved.

Youve been involved with this family

most of your life, Trench.

Do you realize the penalty

for body snatching is hanging?

- Its the same penalty as for forgery.

- What?

I said forgery.

With these papers you have managed...

...to extract 1,000 guineas

from our plantations, is that not so?

Lm a lawyer, not a businessman.

Youre a forger and an embezzler...

...and now youre going to become

a body snatcher.

Not willingly, Julian.

They say the deeper you get,

the easier it becomes.

- How long have you known about this?

- Lve suspected for some time.

But now I know.

What are you going to do?

Lm going to give you

another 1,000 guineas...

...or turn you over to the authorities.

Very well, Sir Julian.

Your brother shall have the traditional,

dignified funeral.

Just give me enough time

to find a body for him...

...that wont disgrace your noble line.

Will you join me in a brandy?

Thank you.

Have you brought the money?

- Well?

- I was sent for.

- It happened?

- Yes.

When do we let ourselves into the house

to rescue Sir Edward?

We dont. Not now.

Why not?

Because, my dear Mark,

Sir Edward is already nailed in a coffin.

What?

And securely locked behind a door

to which we do not have a key.

I dont understand.

There are, however,

still opportunities for making money.

How?

Julian doesnt want anyone to see

his brother looking the way he does now.

He wants another body

to show the townspeople.

Thats madness!

Madness or not, we are going to

provide him with another body.

We havent got to do anything.

At least, I havent.

My God, Trench, have you forgotten

Sir Edward alive in that coffin?

Control yourself, Mark.

Lve already told you,

theres nothing we can do about that.

Julian is offering 1,000 guineas

for a dead body.

And thats what were going to do,

give him one.

So how do we get it? Answer me that.

NGalo, I feel, can help us further.

- Good. You know what to do?

- Aye, Doctor.

They put it in, we take it out.

As fast as that.

What about the last one you promised me?

We had a bit of trouble, but dont

worry yourself, this one will be warmer.

Lve come to pay you.

Inside.

Yes. Here we are.

Well, go on.

Help yourself.

I think youll find its all there.

Lll get Mr. Hackett. I will.

- Mr. Hackett.

- Lm afraid hes busy.

- Not too busy to see me, love.

- Good evening, madam.

- Yes?

- Mr. Hackett, lm afraid, is not too well.

- What is it this time?

- I fear hes had a little too much to drink.

Lm not surprised.

But I can assure you

that hell be up presently.

Ruddock, tell your master

that Samuel Trench wishes to see him.

On a matter of the greatest importance.

This is Mark Norton.

- I told you to do it alone.

- I couldnt do it alone.

Hadnt you better get your prize inside?

Yes. Ruddock.

Since our return from Africa,

as you know...

...my brother has been forced

to live in seclusion...

...the victim of a tropical disease.

However, in his will, he has not

forgotten the village of his youth.

There is a substantial donation

to the church...

...and generous bequest to the poor.

Our Father which art in Heaven,

hallowed be thy name...

- 1,000 guineas and this.

- Blood money.

Hardly. The man was already dead.

- Tell me, what really did happen in Africa?

- What do you mean?

- Nothing. Only it is curious, isnt it?

- What is?

That no ones ever heard what Sir Edward

did to deserve such a terrible punishment.

Retribution.

Thats just what lve come to think it was.

- Retribution.

- Gods vengeance.

You were never impressed

by the Christian myths before.

Sin and retribution.

We sinned out there in Africa, all right.

Plundering their land,

and were still stealing their wealth.

Though theyre too innocent to know it.

Yes, Edwards fate

can only be our punishment...

...our kind of retribution.

Youre only making me more curious.

...of whom may we seek

for succour, but of thee, O Lord...

...who for our sins art justly displeased?

Yet, O Lord God most holy,

O Lord most mighty...

...O holy and most merciful Saviour...

...deliver us not into...

Why did you never tell me?

I would have understood.

I couldnt be sure, Elizabeth.

I didnt know how to tell you.

Sending that letter to you.

Lm so sorry. So very sorry.

Youre my last chance, Elizabeth,

for some peace, some happiness.

- You will stay, you will marry me?

- Of course I will, darling.

He has found some peace at last,

as he never could have on earth.

...dear brother here departed...

...we therefore commit

his body to the ground...

...earth to earth...

...ashes to ashes...

...dust to dust.

...in sure and certain hope

of Resurrection...

- Poor Edward Markham.

- Well open the house again.

Itll be like it once was.

Well let the sun stream in on a new life.

Help! Murder!

- Murder!

- Right, hold him.

Move yourself.

Come on.

Easy.

Come on.

Giddy-up now!

Move yourself, lads. Come on.

I thought you were

never going to get here.

These things take time and caution,

Doctor, as lm sure you realize.

Yes.

- What have you got for me this time?

- Male. Just buried.

His name and where he comes from

is my business. You know that, too.

By the way, weve got something

extra special for you tonight.

- What do you mean?

- All right, bring it in. On the table.

Slightly damaged, lm afraid.

We couldnt take one without the other,

if you see what I mean.

- You murdered him.

- Well, the law might call it that.

We ought to call it a lucky accident.

Lucky for you, because youve got

twice the stuff for your knives and needles.

Lucky for me and the boys

in the usual way.

Of course, you know...

...youd better never ever

so much as whisper about this, dont you?

Weller!

You would do well to realize

that you are in this as deeply as I am.

Remember that.

Its all in the course of science, isnt it?

Why dont we spend the honeymoon

in Africa?

No.

A long time ago, when you first met me,

you said you loved the land out there.

But not any more, Elizabeth.

I never want to go back there again.

- Why?

- Lve seen too much...

...of what Africa can mean...

...and what we have come to mean

to Africa.

In fact, I...

Yes?

Lve been thinking of abandoning

everything out there before its too late.

What would that mean?

Well, it would mean that wed still be

Sir Julian and Lady Elizabeth...

...but there wouldnt be anything

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