Jamaica Inn, Part 4, The horse thief"

Mary narrator I now know that my uncle is involved in smuggling. I also suspect that he has murdered a man. But if I tell, my aunt will suffer, so I can’t do anything. Today, I am alone cleaning the kitchen. But the quiet does not last…

Mary
Who can that be?

Mary narrator
When I go in the bar, there’s a man with a glass of beer. He looks familiar…

Mary What do you think you’re doing? You can’t help yourself to drink!

Jem Are you the barmaid? Fill up my glass.

Mary Fill it up yourself. I’ll tell Mr Merlyn you are here.

Jem Don’t bother - he won’t want to see me…

Mary Well, I can’t stand here waiting. Pay up and you can go.

Jem Do you order Joss around like that?

Mary He’s my uncle. Patience was my mother’s sister. Now, I have work to do… uncle!

Joss Who the hell are you talking to? I told you to keep your mouth shut! Oh, it’s you, Jem. What do you want? You can get on with your work, Mary…

Mary narrator So that was Jem, my uncle’s brother. He’s got the same dark eyes and hair, but drink has not ruined his face - it’s younger and more handsome.

Jem Excuse me - I didn’t expect to see a girl like you at Jamaica Inn.

Mary My mother died, so I came here. I’m glad she isn’t alive to see how my aunt lives now. I try to help her in the house. What do you do?

Jem I steal horses.

Mary Oh! Aren’t you afraid of being caught?

Jem Not really. Listen, I’m being serious now. Jamaica Inn is no place for you with its ugly business. I can help you go to Bodmin.

Mary I don’t need help. I can look after myself.

Jem Well… I’m going now. But remember - I live in Trewartha if you ever need me.

Mary narrator How can I trust him? He’s a thief - and he’s Joss’s brother. The loneliness of my situation grips me again.

The men have returned. From my window, I can see them lifting heavy objects onto the wagons. These men are desperate and dangerous. And Jem…? Did he come to warn his brother that they were coming?

This morning, I’m doing the washing. My uncle is away, so I can almost feel the happiness I used to feel when I worked on the farm.

Patience Mary!

Mary What is it?

Patience Mr Bassat is here - the magistrate, with another man. What are we going to do? He’s never been before: he must know something.

Patience What am I going to say?

Mary narrator This is my chance to tell an officer about Joss - but look at my aunt. She is trembling and terrified.

Mary Just say Joss is away.

Patience Mary, you won’t tell Mr Bassat about the wagons, will you? If anything happens to Joss, I’ll kill myself.

Mr Bassat You took your time. Where’s the landlord?

Mary He’s not here.

Mr Bassat When will he be back?

Patience He went out after breakfast. I don’t know when he’s getting back.

Mr Bassat Damn! Listen to me - your husband is giving this whole area - my land - a bad reputation .

Patience I don’t know what you mean. We live a quiet life here - my niece will tell you!

Mr Bassat I’m not a fool. We’ll look around now we are here.

Mary narrator Mr Bassat is having a good look around the inn. He knows there is something hidden here.

Mr Bassat This place is a disgrace ! Call yourself an inn! There isn’t one clean room.

Patience Mary, Mary - the room by the bar!

Mary narrating We come to the locked room.

Mary I’m afraid this room is locked.

Mr Bassat Why?

Mary I don’t know…

Mr Bassat Have you ever heard wheels and horses at night?

Mary No, never.

Mr Bassat Where is the key to the room?

Mary My uncle has it.

Mr Bassat Well, we’ll have to break down the door, then.

Mary narrating I’m afraid. I hate lying to save my uncle - and part of me will be glad if they find evidence of his crimes. I remember the rope. But the fear of what might lie behind the door is clear in my aunt’s eyes. For her, it would be the end.

In the next episode - I meet a man who I can talk to and tell him about the awful things I have seen - but can he be trusted?