The McNaughtens | Page 5

with you? Look at me.

Spruce (bewildered) I don't see any of your clothes in here!
Captain What the--wretch?
Spruce Sir, there's no need to be testy. The swap we've made may be
better for us. I don't believe you had clothes like these in your trunk.
(displaying some expensive clothing)
Captain And my letters, scoundrel, my letters from Flavella? The letters
in which she expressed her love for me? Who will give them back to
me-- tell me!
Spruce (removing a packet of letters from the trunk) Wait--perhaps you
will find consolation in these.
Captain Do you know that jokesters and comedians usually waste their
time with me?
(The Captain reads the letters while Spruce inventories the clothes.)
Spruce My intent was not to put you in a temper--but without losing
time we must make our inventory. This costume for chicanery surely
belonged to some Scotsman, and this is an Irish peasant. (displaying
clothes) Now, this one is rather modish--usable for a hunt, I think.
Captain Oh, Heavens!
Spruce (startled by the Captain's outburst) Where will all this thing
end?
Captain This adventure isn't easily believed.
Spruce Sir, what's wrong with you--are you getting dizzy?
Captain It's a miracle. You won't believe it when I tell you.
Spruce Sir, I will, I promise you--if you don't lie.
Captain As you know, I was born a McNaughten, near Edinburgh. I am

of a blood which ceded valor to no one. You know that having lost
father, mother, and relatives, and penniless, I was left to spend my days
in the highlands. To escape, I joined the army when I was only fifteen.
Only I had a brother, who lived with me in the home of my uncle--a
rich old miser who wouldn't give me a penny. So I ran away, and they
haven't heard of me for many years. And I've heard from many sources
that both my brother and my uncle thought me dead.
Spruce I know all that. And I know your mother died in giving birth to
you and that same brother. You and your brother are as
indistinguishable as two glasses of milk. In short, you are twins. So
what?
Captain We look so much alike that the finest painters would be easily
deceived. Even our own father considered putting a sign on us to tell us
apart.
Spruce I've heard the story of your life several times. What has that
story got to do with our present troubles?
Captain You will be astonished. This trunk belongs to my brother!
Spruce How about that?
Captain And I learn from this letter that our uncle is dead--
Spruce Amazing--
Captain --and has left all his money to this twin of mine.
Spruce That is surprising news--no doubt about it. What good does that
do?
Captain Listen attentively. This is worth a good deal of reflection.
Spruce I'm listening.
Captain (reading the letter) "I await you, sir, to pay you the sixty
thousand pounds which your uncle has left you by his will, and to

marry you to Miss Flavella Hastings, of whom I have spoken to you
several times in my letters. The lady likes you very much, and her
father is very determined on this marriage. Don't waste time in getting
to London. Your very humble servant, Charles Torrington."
Spruce Now, I begin to see--
Captain Torrington is the name of the honest solicitor who worked for
my father. The date, the envelope, and the name, all confirm my
conclusion. My brother is coming to London in response to this letter,
and, just like me, put his trunk on the coach. And, of course, the name
and address caused your error. I conclude, therefor, not very cleverly,
that my brother is, perhaps, already in London.
Spruce That's probably right. I am stupefied by the surprising effects of
chance. Necessity caused me to make a mistake, and our fortune will
spring from my stupidity. In a single day, we find a decrepit old uncle
buried--who leaves behind him a fortune, which in life, he prevented
you from attaining. We also find a brother who will receive the fortune,
and relieve you of your lady love. Coincidences like these are capable
of overwhelming the cleverest person!
Captain We've got to put our heads together about this. I have a good
feeling about it.
Spruce We could really use that sixty thousand pounds.
Captain To have them, we will have to use all our skill. They belong to
me as much as to my brother. We must prevent my brother from
meeting old Torrington. Go--run--find out--don't lose a minute.
Spruce You know my zeal and eagerness. If he's in London, I have
faithful friends who will know of it in less than an hour.
Captain I am going to Urania. Unfortunately, she