We are keeping you from getting settled, I am afraid. (_Cross
toward door._) So, if you will excuse me, I'll see you at luncheon,
perhaps. Hooray! I am glad to have made your acquaintance, your
Excellency.

DUKE. Thank you, Mr. Warren, I find you most interesting. I shall be
glad to hear more of your remarkable profession. (WARREN _crosses to
door and opens it, disclosing two detectives and steward._)

DETECTIVE. Are you Miss M. T. Ar--ra--gan?

PRINCESS. (L.C.) Yes!

DETECTIVE. You was at the Manhattan Hotel last night?

PRINCESS. Yes.

DETECTIVE. The lock on your door was broken?

PRINCESS. Yes.

DETECTIVE. (_Removes hat_) I am from headquarters, Madame, and I have
orders to clear up one or two little matters with that affair at the
hotel last night.

DUKE. Orders, orders! To break in here--what headquarters?

DETECTIVE. Police headquarters.

DUKE. Do you know whom you are addressing?

DETECTIVE. Say--that will be about all from you!

PRINCESS. Yes, Carlos. Please let me attend to this matter. Won't you
come in, gentlemen?

DETECTIVE. Thanks. (_Realizing they are already in the room_) That's
all, Steward. (_Exit_ STEWARD; _enter_ DETECTIVES, _closing door._
JARVIS _slips wounded hand into coat pocket._)

JARVIS. Yes, we were just discussing that mystery, Inspector.

DUKE. You are, I take it, one of the--er--gum-shoes? (JARVIS _laughs and
goes up stage._)

DETECTIVE. (_Glaring angrily for a moment, walks over toward him and
shouts in his face_) Gum-shoe! Say, are you trying to be funny?

DUKE. Well, sir, you are talking rather loud and with undue asperity. I
presume I have offended you.

DETECTIVE. _You presume!_ That's a hot one! Say, who are you, anyhow?

DUKE. I am Carlos Hernando Duke D'Alva. I have other titles, but they
would hardly interest you.

DETECTIVE. Dook de Alver--and then some, eh? Ain't that nice? Well, if
you was the Archbishop of Canterbury I'd run yer in and take yer 'shore
if yer give me any more lip! (_To_ PRINCESS, _sucks his teeth
contemptuously and turns his back on_ DUKE. _Produces notebook from
pocket and addresses_ PRINCESS.) As you was saying when we was
interrupted, you was in the hotel when the shooting occurred. Did you
hear it?

PRINCESS. Yes, I heard two shots.

DETECTIVE. Did you hear anything else?

PRINCESS. Yes, I heard some people running near my door.

DETECTIVE. Any one come in?

PRINCESS. Yes, my maid was frightened and came in.

DETECTIVE.