Jamaica Inn: Part 4: The horse thief

Mary finds herself attracted to a visitor to Jamaica Inn. But who is he - and can he be trusted? Meanwhile, another visitor discovers some suspicious objects in an upstairs room... 

Transcript

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?