Spruce
When I have a mind to, I can speak better than anybody—
Captain
Wait! Whose trunk is this?
Spruce
Huh! By George, it's yours.
Captain
It doesn't in the least look like mine.
Spruce For a while, I had the same suspicion as you. But it's got your name and address on it—and that relieved my mind of any doubt. (puts the trunk down) Here, read the words very plainly written. To McNaughten, London.
Captain True, but wait a bit,—what do you say to this? It's not my handwriting. Therefore, it is not my trunk.
Spruce
You're right. But it resembles your handwriting a great deal.
Captain
You acted impulsively in taking this trunk.
Spruce But, sir, do you take me for a fool? In returning from Flanders, where you had an abrupt discharge from your regiment, did I not put the trunk, at your instruction, on a stage coach bound for London, so that we might travel more quickly. And didn't I obey you? I've done everything right in this whole business. No reproaches, please.
Captain We'll soon see whether this was your fault or not. Open it up and let's try to get to the bottom of this mystery.