LESLIE, LAWSON (_wrapping up_) LESLIE. I wonder what ails Brodie? LAWSON. How should I ken? What should I ken that ails him? LESLIE. He seemed angry even with you. LAWSON (_impatient_). Hoot awa’. LESLIE. Of course, I know. But you see, on the very day when our engagement is announced, even the best of men may be susceptible. You yourself seem not quite pleased. LAWSON (_with great irritation_). I’m perfectly pleased. I’m perfectly delighted. If I werena an auld man, I’d be just beside mysel’ wi’ happiness. LESLIE. Well, I only fancied. LAWSON. Ye had nae possible excuse to fancy. Fancy? Perfect trash and nonsense. Look at yersel’. Ye look like a ghaist, ye’re white-like, ye’re black aboot the een; and do ye find me deavin’ ye wi’ fancies? Or William Brodie either? I’ll say that for him. LESLIE. ’Tis not sorrow that alters my complexion; I’ve something else on hand. Come, I’ll tell you, under seal. I’ve not been in bed till daylight for a week. LAWSON. Weel, there’s nae sense in the like o’ that. LESLIE. Gad, but there is though. Why, Procurator, this is town’s business; this is a municipal affair; I’m a public character. Why? Ah, here’s a nut for the Crown Prosecutor! I’m a bit of a party to a robbery. LAWSON. Guid guide us, man, what d’ye mean? LESLIE. You shall hear. A week ago to-night, I was passing through this very room without a candle on my way to bed, when . . . what should I see, but a masked man fumbling at that window! How he did the Lord knows. I suspect, Procurator, it was not the first he’d tried . . . for he opened it as handily as his own front door. LAWSON. Preserve me! Another of thae robberies! LESLIE. That’s it. And, of course, I tried to seize him. But the rascal was too quick. He was down and away in an instant. You never saw a thing so daring and adroit. LAWSON. Is that a’? Ye’re a bauld lad, I’ll say that for ye. I’m glad it wasna waur. LESLIE. Yes, that’s all plain sailing. But here’s the hitch. Why didn’t I tell the Procurator-Fiscal? You never thought of that. LAWSON. No, man. Why? LESLIE. Aha! There’s the riddle. Will you guess? No? . . . I thought I knew the man. LAWSON. What d’ye say? LESLIE. I thought I knew him. LAWSON. Wha was’t? LESLIE. Ah, there you go beyond me. That I cannot tell. LAWSON. As God sees ye, laddie, are ye speaking truth? LESLIE. Well . . . of course! LAWSON. The haill truth? LESLIE. All of it. Why not? LAWSON. Man, I’d a kind o’ gliff. LESLIE. Why, what were you afraid of? Had you a suspicion? LAWSON. Me? Me a suspicion? Ye’re daft, sir; and me the Crown offeecial! . . . Eh man, I’m a’ shakin’ . . . And sae ye thocht ye kennt him?