STELLA (_crossing to the door_). Walter! (_Door shuts._) How very
polite of you! Are you changing? (_Voice off says, “Yow.”_) Oh, very
well, if you won’t answer me. I’m in the drawing-room all alone!
(_Has crossed back to R., and goes in._)
AUTOMATON (_enters L._). Tick-chuck-yow. (_Goes up, hits door of
cupboard twice._) Chuck-yow-yow.
(_Goes to recess, knocks over a chair, hits clock, etc., and goes
into china cupboard in recess L. A loud noise of smashing of crockery
off. STELLA through this is playing and singing same air as before._)
(_WALTER comes in D. in F., as soon as ever he can, walking quite
quietly as contrast to the very quick exit of AUTOMATON. Brown
jacket._)
WALTER (_comes to table R., calling_). Stella! I want you. Stella!
STELLA (_stops singing a moment to call_). I’m not coming! (_Resumes
song off._)
WALTER (_takes up parcel_). My new coat at last. The moment I get
Davidson under lock and key I’m going to change into this and get away
to Brighton. (_Puts parcel down._)
(_STELLA enters R._)
Why wouldn’t you come a minute ago?
STELLA. Why did you shut that door in my face?
WALTER. When?
STELLA. After you went out.
WALTER. After I went out--before I came home? Did I speak?
STELLA. No.
WALTER. It’s as plain as a pikestaff, it’s come home!
STELLA (_slowly and firmly_). I believe you’re right. Now I’ve seen you
both I’ll never mistake again.
WALTER. It must be somewhere on the premises now.
(_They hurriedly look about under furniture, and meet and collide up
C., and say, “Oh!” Noise in china cupboard._)
WALTER. It’s in the bedroom. Run down to Mrs. Anderson and borrow the
very largest blanket.
STELLA. Why?
WALTER. I want something to throw over it.
(_STELLA exit D. in F._)
WALTER (_listens to fresh sounds_). No! It’s in the china cupboard!
(_A wooden hand with fingers extended is mysteriously thrust out of
china cupboard door. He gets a plate and smashes it on this hand,
which is at once withdrawn. This can be done with a real hand and
smash plate on door near it._)
(_He quickly turns key._)
WALTER. Got it--got it!
(_He jubilantly dances down C., then goes and calls out D. in F._)
Stella, Stella, I’ve locked it in the china cupboard. I don’t want
the blanket. (_Returns._) Gone in the kitchen, I suppose! (_Takes up
parcel._) Change my coat at last and get away! (_Goes into bedroom L._)
(_Immediately on his exit a loud smashing in china clipboard, then
the door flies into splinters and is knocked down, and AUTOMATON
enters quickly, hurries right round C., and into bedroom after
WALTER._)
WALTER (_within, as loud noise in bedroom_). Hi! stop!
AUTOMATON (_within_). Yow-yow.
WALTER (_rushing in, dressed in black coat_). By Jove! what an escape!
(_JACK, carrying blanket of green flannel or red, enters with STELLA,
who has gag and handcuffs--enter D. in F._)
(_WALTER makes signs to them, pointing to bedroom and beckoning them
to follow him there._)
JACK. Is that it?
STELLA. Yes, yes, Jack, yes!
(_JACK throws blanket over WALTER, and they get him on chair C._)
JACK. Hurrah! we’ve got him now! (_Business: secure him with rope round
his legs and gag, then take blanket off._) (_WALTER, gagged, groans._)
No more climbing tall chimney stacks! (_WALTER groans._)
STELLA. Is it in pain?
JACK. Of course not.
STELLA. It groans so!
JACK. Rather mad at being caught.
STELLA. Is it wax-work?
JACK. More like indiarubber. I suppose you do see the difference this
time?
STELLA. Rather.