)

JARVIS. Your Highness, I'd like a couple of good horses and two good
lanterns.

PRINCESS. Pedro.

PEDRO. Yes, your Highness. (PEDRO _exits_.)

DUKE. Lanterns? Looking for an honest man, Mr. Warren? (C. _Lays hat on
table_ C.)

JARVIS. (_Over banister_) Not in this neck of the woods, your
Excellency. (_Exit_ JARVIS _and_ RUSTY.)

PRINCESS. Carlos, what news of my brother have you heard?

DUKE. (L.C.) Nothing, Maria.

PRINCESS. And yet you are leaving for Madrid.

DUKE. The message is from His Majesty.

PRINCESS. But why must you go so soon?

DUKE. You know my ride is a long one.

PRINCESS. But, Carlos, my brother may be dying, dead--and yet you have
not the time and the courage to help me find him.

DUKE. What need of me? You have your Ghost Breaker.

PRINCESS. So, Carlos, that is your excuse?

DUKE. I make no excuse, Maria. I need none. That Yankee adventurer
stands between you and me. Send him away, and I will do anything you
ask. I'll put off my journey now to the King. I'll send one of my men
into the castle to find your brother.

PRINCESS. Yes, you will send one of your men--but you are not brave
enough to go there yourself. Yet you ask me to send away this man who of
all is willing to sacrifice even his life for me.

DUKE. If he stays, I'll go.

PRINCESS. Very well, then you force me to choose. I do. I choose a man.

DUKE. You love him?

PRINCESS. Perhaps. (R. _Turns away_.)

DUKE. Well, Maria, you are sending him to his death. (_Enter_ JARVIS _on
stairs_.) Success to you, Mr. Ghost Breaker, when you beard the spectre
in his den. (_Takes hat and coat from table._)

JARVIS. (_Coming downstairs_) Thank you, your Excellency. (_With mock
dignity_) I'll do my best. (_Changes expression._) To put salt on the
spectre's tail.

DUKE. Good-bye! (_Exit_ L.C.)

JARVIS. Good-bye.

PRINCESS. (C.) Mr. Warren, we must start at once.

JARVIS. Courage--if your brother is there, I'll find him. You must be
patient and remain here where you are safe, and try to rest.

PRINCESS. I cannot rest until I know what has happened to him. I shall
go mad if I am left alone.

JARVIS. But it is not safe for you to go.

PRINCESS. Nevertheless, Mr. Warren, I will go to my brother tonight.

JARVIS. Now, my dear child! (_Pause._) I beg your pardon, but
please--oh, please let me insist on one condition.

PRINCESS. Name it.

JARVIS. Let me go ahead and look over the ground. I will signal when it
is safe to