]
ALMERIC [opening the upper doors and calling]. Tell that officer to
bring his men in here!
[VASILI enters briskly from the hall.]
[RIBIERE enters immediately after from the same direction.]
VASILI [in a loud, clear voice]. There will be no arrests to-night, my
friends.
HAWCASTLE [violently, to ALMERIC]. Do as I say! This man [meaning
VASILI] goes, too.
VASILI [curtly]. The officer is not there, the carabiniere have been
withdrawn.
[To PIKE, gravely and rapidly.]
For your sake I have relinquished my incognito.
[To HAWCASTLE.]
The man Ivanoff is in my custody.
[Illustration: "IVAN! DON'T KILL ME!"]
HAWCASTLE [violently]. By whose authority? Do you know that you are
speaking to the Earl of Hawcastle?
RIBIERE [in a ringing voice, advancing a step]. More respectful, sir!
You are addressing his Highness, the Grand-Duke Vasili of Russia.
[HAWCASTLE falls back, stricken.]
PIKE [thunderstruck]. Respectful! Think of what _I've_ been calling him!
VASILI. My friend, it has been refreshing. [To RIBIERE]. Ribiere, I
shall take Ivanoff's statement in writing. Bring him with you.
[VASILI turns on his heel, curtly, and passes rapidly out through the
door on the right.]
[RIBIERE touches IVANOFF on shoulder, indicating that he must follow
VASILI.
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