MARY. If you only knew them, uncle, what an example you would
make! But tell me, is it not strange that men should dare such
things, in the midst of a city, and nothing, nothing be known of
them - nothing at all?

LESLIE. Little, indeed! But we do know that there are several
in the gang, and that one at least is an unrivalled workman.

LAWSON. Ye're right, sir; ye're vera right, Mr. Leslie. It had
been deponed to me offeecially that no a tradesman - no the
Deacon here himsel' - could have made a cleaner job wi' Andra
Simpson's shutters. And as for the lock o' the bank - but that's
an auld sang.

BRODIE. I think you believe too much, Procurator. Rumour's an
ignorant jade, I tell you. I've had occasion to see some little
of their handiwork - broken cabinets, broken shutters, broken
doors - and I find them bunglers. Why, I could do it better
myself!

LESLIE. Gad, Brodie, you and I might go into partnership. I
back myself to watch outside, and I suppose you could do the work
of skill within?

BRODIE. An opposition company? Leslie, your mind is full of
good things. Suppose we begin to-night, and give the
Procurator's house the honours of our innocence?

MARY. You could do anything, you two!