As the curtain rises HAWCASTLE, in a travelling suit and cap, is
directing a porter who is adjusting a strap on a travelling bag. ALMERIC
enters from the hotel, smoking a cigarette.
ALMERIC. Ah, Governor; see you're moving!
HAWCASTLE. I may.
[His manner is nervous, apprehensive, and wary. Porter touches his cap
and goes into hotel.]
It depends.
ALMERIC. Depends? Madame de Champigny took the morning boat to Naples,
and your trunks are gone. Shouldn't say that looked much like dependin'.
HAWCASTLE [nervously]. It does, though, with that devilish convict--
ALMERIC. Oh, but I say, Governor, you're not in a funk about him! You
could bowl him over with a finger.
HAWCASTLE [glancing over his shoulder]. Not if he had what he didn't
have last night, or I shouldn't be here to-day.
ALMERIC. You don't think the beggar'd be taking a shot at you?
HAWCASTLE [fastening clasp of hat-box]. I don't know what the crazy fool
mightn't do.
ALMERIC. But, you know, he's really quite as much in custody as you
could wish. That Vasilivitch chap has got him fast enough.
[LADY CREECH enters from the hotel.]
HAWCASTLE [sharply]. The Grand-Duke Vasili has the reputation of being a
romantic fool. I don't know what moment he may decide to let Ivanoff
loose.
LADY CREECH [with triumphant indignation].
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