ushes to other door_.)

_2nd Prince_: I'll get the sword from him. _(Snatches
it away as Ogre is rushing at him. Servant and
Guardian come in_.)

_Guardian_: What is going on! (_Blows a whistle_.)
Here, soldiers of the guard!

_(Feet are heard marching and bugle blowing at
left door. Ogre rapidly slips off his mask,
and appears as a harmless old man.)_

_Guardian:_ Thieves! Robbers! Burglars!
Here, soldiers, surround the place; who are these
ruffians? Murder! Robbery! Fire!

_(Two soldiers come in_.)

_Servant_: They are the very same youngsters
were at our door this morning, doing their play;
those Wrenboys!

_Guardian_: They are thieves. There is one of
them bringing away my gold-handled sword. _(He
and Servant seize sword_.)

_Ogre: (Coming forward and bowing low_.) It
is time for you to come, your honour my lordship!
I am proud to see you coming! It was I myself
that rang the bell and that called and awakened
you, where I would not like to see the place robbed
and left bare by these scum of the world!

_All the Princes_: Oh! Oh! Oh!

_Guardian_: What have you to do with it?
Where do you come from?

_Ogre_: An honest poor man I am....

_Servant_: You have a queer wild sort of a
dress.

_Ogre_: Making a living I do be, dressing up as a
hobgoblin and a bogey man to get an odd copper
from a mother here and there, would be wishful to
frighten a stubborn child from bawling or from
tricks. Passing the door I was, and hearing a noise
I looked in, and these young villains were after
rising a board and taking out that sword you seen
in their hands. It is then that I made a clamour
with the bell.

(_Princes laugh_.)

_Guardian_: Who are they at all?

_Ogre_: It is I myself say it; they are the terror
of the whole district.

_1st Prince_: You may save your breath and stop
that talk. This gentleman knows us well. He
knows us and will recognise us.

_Guardian_: I do recognise you. I saw you but
yesterday.

_2nd Prince_: There now, what do you say?

_Guardian_: You are those vagabond Wrenboys
that came tricking and begging to my gate.

_Princes_: Oh! Oh! Oh!

_Ogre_: That's it! Spying round they were!
Thinking to do a robbery! Robbery they're after
doing!

_3rd Prince_: We were doing no such thing!

_Guardian_: You were! I stopped you making
off with my sword of Justice.

_Ogre_: If it wasn't for me hindering them they
would have it swept.

_Guardian_: That was very honest of you.