Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow Page #4

Joe Ransley, sir.

Morning, sir.

Joseph Ransley,

North Farm,

Bonnington?

You're not much of

a farmer, are you?

Three years of bad

harvests, your sheep

flock down to 60 head.

It's poor land, sir.

I do my best.

Yet you stayed on it.

You got six months

behind with your rent,

and suddenly paid it.

And you've been

paying it ever

since.

Yes, sir.

Well, I...

How?

I've been selling off

some of my sheep, sir.

(GENERAL PUGH SCOFFS)

Sir Thomas never

questioned it, sir.

No? Well, I do.

I don't think you

sold your sheep, Ransley,

I think you're a smuggler.

Smuggler? I'm an

honest man, sir.

Yes?

You suddenly raise

money from selling

sheep?

Where? To whom?

Prove it with dates

and bills of sale.

I don't keep

no bills, sir.

Don't try lying

to me, Ransley,

you paid with

smuggler's gold.

You know who

I'm after.

The man who leads you,

pays you off.

I don't know what

you mean, sir.

Oh, yes, you do,

and I'll give you

a simple choice.

I'll throw you into

jail on suspicion

and I'll keep you

there for questioning

until you rot or...

Jail, sir?

Let me finish.

Or you'll turn

King's evidence.

Tell me all you know

about the Scarecrow's

smuggling gang.

Their movements,

where they meet

and when.

Nobody'll know

you talked, Ransley,

but it's you or them.

I don't know

nothing, sir.

I swear I don't know.

You're under arrest.

No, no, wait,

sir, wait.

Well?

I said I don't

know nothing, sir,

and I don't.

But I may be able

to find out, sir.

I'd try, if you'd

give me a little

time, sir.

I'll give you

48 hours.

You'll either

come forward with

the names of the men

you know to be in

this madman's gang,

these so-called

Gentlemen of

the Marshes,

or you can

rot in jail.

You've got 48

hours, Ransley,

you understand?

Now get out.

RANSLEY:
Yes, sir.

I'll find out

all I can, sir.

You'd better.

Well, that's what

I heard, sir.

And one traitor's

enough to get you

hanged.

The rest of us

as well.

Hmm.

And there's a shipment

due from France tomorrow.

General Pugh is staying

at your father's,

did you say?

Your head's really

in the lion's mouth,

isn't it?

They don't

notice me,

sir.

You're going to let me

ride with you tomorrow

night, aren't you?

No, I'm afraid not.

It's too risky.

I don't see why.

I said no,

and you'll

obey orders.

Your task is to

keep your eyes

on General Pugh.

And what about

Ransley, sir?

He's under orders

for tomorrow's run.

Ransley's one of my men,

and has to be protected.

I'm going to Bonnington

this afternoon.

I'll see what frame

of mind he's in.

Hello, Mrs. Ransley.

Nice to see you

getting about again.

Thank you, Vicar.

I've brought something

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