hat he must have stolen it.

HEDDA.

Why stolen it?

BRACK.

Because every other explanation ought to be impossible, Mrs. Hedda.

HEDDA.

Indeed?

BRACK.

[Glances at her.] Of course Eilert Lovborg was here this morning. Was he
not?

HEDDA.

Yes.

BRACK.

Were you alone with him?

HEDDA.

Part of the time.

BRACK.

Did you not leave the room whilst he was here?

HEDDA.

No.

BRACK.

Try to recollect. Were you not out of the room a moment?

HEDDA.

Yes, perhaps just a moment--out in the hall.

BRACK.

And where was you pistol-case during that time?

HEDDA.

I had it locked up in--

BRACK.

Well, Mrs. Hedda?

HEDDA.

The case stood there on the writing-table.

BRACK.

Have you looked since, to see whether both the pistols are there?

HEDDA.

No.

BRACK.

Well, you need not. I saw the pistol found in Lovborg's pocket, and I
knew it at once as the one I had seen yesterday--and before, too.

HEDDA.

Have you it with you?

BRACK.

No; the police have it.

HEDDA.

What will the police do with it?

BRACK.

Search till they find the owner.

HEDDA.

Do you think they will succeed?

BRACK.

[Bends over her and whispers.] No, Hedda Gabler--not so long as I say
nothing.

HEDDA.

[Looks frightened at him.] And if you do not say nothing,--what then?

BRACK.

[Shrugs his shoulders.] There is always the possibility that the pistol
was stolen.

HEDDA.

[Firmly.] Death rather than that.

BRACK.

[Smiling.] People say such things--but they don't do them.

HEDDA.

[Without replying.] And supposing the pistol was not stolen, and the
owner is discovered? What then?

BRACK.

Well, Hedda--then comes the scandal!

HEDDA.

The scandal!

BRACK.

Yes, the scandal--of which you are so mortally afraid. You will, of
course, be brought before the court--both you and Mademoiselle Diana.
She will have to explain how the thing happened--whether it was an
accidental shot or murder. Did the pistol go off as he was trying to
take it out of his pocket, to threaten her with? Or did she tear the
pistol out of his hand, shoot him, and push it back into his pocket?
That would be quite like her; for she is an able-bodied young person,
this same Mademoiselle Diana.

HEDDA.

But _I_ have nothing to do with all this repulsive business.

BRACK.

No. But you will have to answer the question: W