(_The stage remains empty for several moments. Then_ Struebel _is heard
trying the latch of the back door._)
Struebel's Voice.
Hullo! What's up! Why is this locked all of a sudden? Rosa!--Open up!
I've got to look through the telescope! Rosa! Won't you?--Oh, well,
I know how to help myself. (_He is seen walking outside of the
glass-covered veranda. Then he puts his head through the open window at
the right._) Not a soul inside?-- (_Climbs over._) Well, here we are.
What on earth has happened to these people? (_Unlocks the back door and
looks out._) Everything deserted. Well, it's all the same to me.
(_Locks the door again._) But let's find out right away what the
carriage has to do with the case. (_Prepares to look through the
telescope_. The Princess _enters cautiously through the door at the
left, her hat in her hand. Without noticing_ Struebel, _who is standing
motionless before the telescope, she goes hurriedly to the door at the
back and unlocks it._)
Struebel.
(_Startled at the sound of the key, turns around._) Why, how do you do?
(The Princess, _not venturing to move, glances back at the door through
which she has entered._) Wouldn't you like to look through the
telescope a while? Please do. (The Princess, _undecided as to whether
or not she should answer him, takes a few steps back toward the door at
the left._) Why are you going away? I won't do anything to you.
The Princess (_reassured_).
Oh, I'm not going away.
Struebel.
That's right. But--where have you come from? The door was locked.
Surely you didn't climb through the window as I did?
The Princess (_frightened_).