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[My Name is Immaterial]

+1 to Follow Jack Through.

[notquitethere]

You pull yourself up onto the sill and make your way in, trying not to cut your clothes on the jagged glass. You find yourself in a dusty parlour, ornate chairs in disarray where Jack rushed past. You follow the trail of destruction out the door to a dark corridor leading to stairs. Above you is the sound of heavy footfall and slammed doors. Heading up the stairs, you reach a corner landing when a door creaks inwards and an old man appears. He's dressed in an ageing nightgown and he brandishes a candle at you.

"Who the devil are you, and what are you doing in my house?" he asks.

1. "I'm a thief-taker, and there's a notorious burglar in your house."
2. "Shh, keep your voice low. Can you hear him?"
"No time to explain, get out the way."
3. "I can't stop now. My man will explain."

Spoiler: stats (click to show/hide)

Mr Tobias Pike 
A male former post-runner

Pugilism: 1

Fleet-Footedness: 3

Oratory: 0

London Knowledge: 2

  Careful: 55%

  Munificent: 60%

  Law-Abiding: 98%

  Disreputable: 54%  


Fame: Unknown

Targets Apprehended: 0

Disposable Income: £0/1s/4d

Relationships

  Jack Cyrus: 20%


Hangers-On: 1 
Tom Cony, a man of big feet and little brain.

[overseer05-15]

Tell him to keep his voice low.

[Archangel]

I'm quite partial to the direct route of option 1. "I'm a thief-taker, and there's a notorious burglar in your house."

[birdy51]

3

Can't talk, gotta go fast!

[notquitethere]

Nice spread of responses. Anyone want to break the three-way tie?

[Archangel]

Alright, I will switch my vote to my second preference, 2. "Shh, keep your voice low. Can you hear him?"

[notquitethere]

"Now look here," the man continues, not quieting down, "I know exactly how this works. You send me upstairs whilst you steal my silverware down here. I know how you scoundrels operate!"

There's sounds of breaking glass upstairs, and the pair of you move up towards the sound. As you arrive on the landing of the top floor, moonlight pierces through the fading fog, illuminating a newly broken window. You make your way down the corridor and out the open frame. Jack stands on the edge of the roof, appraising the drop. Tom Cony waits just inside.

Close up, you can see he is a short man with a round face awash with freckles and a slightly crooked nose. You'd put him as aged twenty or so, though malnourished city dwellers often look younger than they really are. He has a wiry frame that masks the surprising strength that years of carpentry has gifted him. An apprentice's life is one of drudgery, and he is not the first nor will he be the last to turn to petty thievery. He turns to face you, surprised to see that you've caught up with him.

1. "Give up Jack, you're outnumbered!"
2. "I think we need to have a conversation."
3. "You're coming with me, even if I have to carry you."
4. Take a careful shot at his leg.

[overseer05-15]

4. Take a careful shot at his leg.

[Persus13]

1. "Give up Jack, you're outnumbered!"

[birdy51]

1.

[Archangel]

I'd much prefer 2. "I think we need to have a conversation.", but since at least it means we're talking to him rather than using violence as the first resort, I'll vote for 1. "Give up Jack, you're outnumbered!"

[NRDL]

1

[notquitethere]

Jack looks around and sees you're not lying. Fresh sweat beads on his brow, but his voice is calm.

"You look like a decent cove—perhaps we could work something out. Do you really want to see a man hang for a few poxy silver spoons?"

1. "If it means I get paid, I'm happy to see you hang."
2. "You knew the penalty when you committed the crime."
3. "I don't have a choice here. If I don't bring you in, then someone else is sure to."
4. "You're right, I don't want to see you hang."

[overseer05-15]

1. "If it means I get paid, I'm happy to see you hang."