no time to waste. Now just one question more.
How do you account for the blood on that knob of your door?
PRINCESS. Blood, on my door---- Why, I----
JARVIS. I think I can explain that, Inspector.
DETECTIVE. Go ahead, then.
JARVIS. (_Cross_ C.) Allow me.
PRINCESS. Certainly.
JARVIS. The colored man, the one you were talking about, the one who
brought the bundle, that bundle there, carelessly broke the blade of
that knife and cut his hand. That was it, wasn't it? You see the large
blade is snapped off near the handle.
DETECTIVE. Where is this colored man now?
PRINCESS. He is in stateroom 729.
DETECTIVE. All right, I will just take a look at him. 729? Sorry to
bother you. They was the Chief's orders. Good-bye. (_Exit._)
PRINCESS. But his hand isn't cut.
JARVIS. (_Cross to 'phone_) No, not yet--but it soon will be. Hello,
give me 729. (_Pause._) Hello, hello, hello, Rusty? Damn it all, answer
me, do you hear me? (_Pause._) Yes, I know I did, but I am telling you
to talk now. Do just what I tell you and do it quick. Take your knife
and cut your left hand. What? No, no, you a--damned fool, don't cut it
off, but just enough to make it bleed a little and then tie it up with a
handkerchief. Never mind. Do it quick, and remember, don't answer
questions. You're deaf and dumb again. (_Hangs up receiver and turns to_
PRINCESS.) By gee, you're game! You certainly buffaloed that Detective.
Then your cousin Carlos broke in at the psychological moment to scatter
their gum-shoe wits. (_Laugh._)
PRINCESS. They believe he's crazy.
JARVIS. That's just it. Now they won't listen to him. Yes, he'll be
crazy, all right. Do you think you can handle him?
PRINCESS. Yes, you have your hand dressed.
JARVIS. Then I'll hunt up the ship's surgeon--and be back directly. Gee,
you're game! (_Cross to door_ R. DUKE _enters at door_ R. JARVIS
_turns._) Crazy! That's funny! (JARVIS _exits, laughing._)
DUKE. (_Showing suppressed emotion, stands_ R.C. _glaring at_ PRINCESS)
Well!
PRINCESS. Well!
DUKE. Well, I'm waiting!
PRINCESS. For what, Carlos?
DUKE. For some explanation. Who is this man Warren?
PRINCESS. He is a professional ghost breaker, as he explained.
DUKE. How did you find him?
PRINCESS. I met him quite by accident.
DUKE. What do you know about him?
PRINCESS. Why, he is as well known in America as you are in Spain.
DUKE. Indeed! (_Cross to center._) Well, he will be better known when I
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