Part 16 (1/2)

JARVIS. (_Watching her off_) Highness.--Highness---- (_Starts to go._ ROBLEDO _c.o.c.ks revolver_. JARVIS _stops, listens, looks around, starts to fold coat, whistles ”Dixie,” moves downstairs until near lamp, throws coat at lamp--lights out. Pause. Two shots are fired in the dark._ JARVIS _crosses left_ C. ROBLEDO _crosses down_ R.C., _falls on second shot. Pause._ JARVIS _whistles ”Dixie.”_ _Exits door_ L.C.)

CURTAIN

ACT IV

SCENE: _The Hall of the Knights, in the haunted castle. On walls a few old weapons, thick dust everywhere. Moonlight streams through round window high in wall_ R., _striking picture. Curtain rises slowly while orchestra plays ”I Dreamed I Dwelt in Marble Halls.” Wind moans through grated windows, rats squeal and cross moonlight on floor; light flickers on tower wall._

(_Enter_ JARVIS _from door_ L. _with lantern unlit--turns and calls cautiously._)

JARVIS. Come on in, Rusty. (_Enter_ RUSTY _with lighted lantern_.) They've been in this room. Do you smell that, Rusty? (_Cross_ R.)

RUSTY. (L.C.) Ma.r.s.e Warren, I'm so scared I can't smell nothin'.

JARVIS. The room's full of it--somebody's been carrying a smoky lantern.

(_Dull thud off left._)

RUSTY. Good G.o.d Almighty, what's that? (JARVIS _crosses_ R.C. _over table, lights lantern and then stands looking around room._) I want to go home! (_Put lantern down_ C.)

JARVIS. (_Looking about_) We've been in this room before.

RUSTY. Is this where that poundin' came from? (_Cross_ C. _to Jarvis_.)

JARVIS. I reckon that pounding and the smoky lanterns went together.

(RUSTY _sees armor on stairs; backs into_ JARVIS _and sinks to knees; head on floor_.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”THE GHOST BREAKER” _See Page 62_]

RUSTY. O---- oh!

JARVIS. (_Whirls with gun drawn_) What's the matter?

RUSTY. (_Pointing to armor on stairs_) Look--look--look at them big black things--see 'em standin' there?

JARVIS. (_Laughing; putting away gun_) These are the same black things that scared you before--don't you remember?

RUSTY. I'm so scared I can't remember anything!

JARVIS. They're nothing but suits of armor. Get up on your pins and don't you b.u.mp me again. (RUSTY _rises_.) The next one of those rear-end collisions and I'm liable to let some moonlight into you. You've been treading on my heels ever since we came in here, and when I stop you b.u.mp into me.

RUSTY. I'm powerful scared I might lose you!

JARVIS. A fine chance! (_Looking about._) Well, Rusty, we've been through this old castle pretty thoroughly now, from dungeon to tower, and not a sign of the Prince or the Duke or any one else, unless they pound or carry a smoky lantern. It's a clue, Rusty, it's a clue. We'll stick right here till we find out where it leads. I'll swear the Duke never went to Madrid, but came straight here from the inn. (JARVIS _crosses to fireplace_ R. RUSTY _follows_.) Get away from me. (_Strikes a match and holds in chimney._) There's a fine chance for a fire. Good, it draws. The chimney's clear. Now, then, bust up the table and start a fire.

RUSTY. How can I break it? Oh, it's rotten!

JARVIS. You won't feel half so scared with a good blaze behind you.

(RUSTY _picks up pieces of table_.) I'll scout around a bit.