Crime & punishment > Curiosities of crime in Edinburgh during the last thirty years

18
THE HAPPY LAND.
“ That’s a pity,” said I; “ but they will excuse you,
and as for me, why they set me up at one, so I’m quits
with them there. Shew me into their room.”
I then beckoned the constable I had with me; and,
preceded by Goodall, we were led to the side of the
bed where lay the very men. I held Goodall’s candle
over their faces, and saw the effect I produced upon
them—not that I augured from their surprise and dismay
that they had done this deed, for I knew I was a terror
to them at any time, but that I liked to enjoy my advan¬
tage.
“ Get up,” said I, 11 and go with me; ” so sure of my
men, that I did not even put them to the question.
And then broke in Goodall again with his humour—
“Ye see, you’re not to blame me,"my lads. It’s only
four, but Mr M'Levy says you were the cause of waken¬
ing him at one.”
These men, who, four hours before, were throttling an
innocent gentleman, were now dumb and docile; nay,
they were simple,—for Itenny, when getting out of bed,
let slip—
“You’ll not find either the watch or the sovereigns
on me, anyhow.” >
Stevenson looked daggers at his friend.
“ Why, man,” said I, “ Eenny has done no more than
I have made others do, by simply holding my peace;
and he has done you no harm either by his mistake, for
I can prove that you and Mary Wood robbed the gen¬
tleman four hours ago in the Happy Land.”