The Americans Part 25

Came down from where?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

From up there on the mountains.

JERGENS.

To look about for what?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Just anything-- Just anything that's 'round to see.

(_He gets down and begins to fit the pieces together. The men watch him. Suddenly he stops and looks about him_)

Did I----

(_He rises and goes right to where a piece of the cast lies upon the ground_)

CHIEF OF POLICE.

Shall I take charge of him, Mr. Egerton?

I'll lock him up if you say so.

CHADBOURNE.

(_As Anderson returns_)

Don't you know That when a sentry challenges a man He's got the right to shoot him in his tracks?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

The risk's on me, pard.

CHADBOURNE.

Eh!

HARVEY ANDERSON.

The risk's on me.

CHADBOURNE.

You take care, sir, how you're addressing me.

(_Jergens walks rear, takes from his pocket some field gla.s.ses, which he polishes with a handkerchief. The Chauffeur joins him.

Chadbourne turns and says something vicious to the Second Sentry_)

EGERTON.

How came you by this thing?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

I'm of the men That Egerton sent out.

EGERTON.

Jergens, is he One of our men?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

(_Glancing up_)

You Egerton?

CHIEF OF POLICE.

He is.

JERGENS.

There's many of them that I never saw; But he's got that, so I suppose he is.

(_He searches the mountains with his gla.s.ses. The rest contemplate him in silence. In Anderson's eyes, as he watches them, there is a strange, glad light. Indeed throughout the Scene his manner is that of a man who is hiding a tremendous triumph_)

HASKELL.

He's out here with his gla.s.ses every day.

CHADBOURNE.

One of the richest mines in all the West----

EGERTON.

Very rich mine.

CHADBOURNE.

So I have been informed.

CHIEF OF POLICE.

Been lost for fifty years.

CHADBOURNE.