‘He’s no drucken, and he’s no Scotch,’ remarked one of the policemen.
‘But he’ll pass the nicht here, and maybe apologise to the Baillie in the morning,’ said another.
‘Oh, pardon me, you mistake me,’ said Merton. ‘This is not a stupid practical joke.’
‘It’s no a very gude ane,’ said the policeman.
Merton took out a handful of gold. ‘I wish to pay for the broken window at once,’ he said. ‘It was a necessary part of the mise en scène, of the stage effect, you know. To call your attention.’
‘Ye’ll settle wi’ the Baillie in the morning,’ said the policeman.
Things were looking untoward.
‘Look here,’ said Merton, ‘I quite understand your
point of view, it does credit to your intelligence. You take me for an English tourist, behaving as I have done by way of a joke, or for a bet?’
‘That’s it, sir,’ said the spokesman.