.

SCENE--_A flight of steps by the lake in the grounds of the
Insel Hotel, Constance. Time, late afternoon. A small boat,
containing three persons, is just visible far out on the
glassy grey-green water. BOB PRENDERGAST and PODBUBY are
perched side by side on a parapet, smoking disconsolately._

_Podbury._ Do they look at all as if they meant to come in? I tell you
what, BOB, vote we row out to them and tell them they'll be late for
_table d'hote_. Eh? [_He knocks out his pipe._

_Prendergast_ (_phlegmatically_). Only be late for it ourselves if we
do. They'll come in when they want to.

_Podb._ It's not safe for your sister,--I'm hanged if it is--going
out in a boat with a duffer like CULCHARD! He'll upset her as sure as
eggs.

_Prend._ (_with fraternal serenity_). With pin-oars? Couldn't if he
tried! And they've a man with them, too. The less I see of that chap
CULCHARD the better. I did hope we'd choked him off at Nuremberg. I
hate the sight of his supercilious old mug!

_Podb._ You can't hate it more than I do--but what can I do?
(_Pathetically._) I've tried rotting him, but somehow he always
manages to get the best of it in the end. I never saw such a beggar to
hang on!

[Illustration: "Gets up and quits the room with dignity."]

_Prend._ What on earth made you ask him to come on here, after he
declared he wouldn't?

_Podb._ I! _I_ ask him? He settled it all with your sister. How could
_I_ help it?

_Prend._ I'd do _something_. Why can't you tell him right out he ain't
wanted? _I_ would--like a shot!

_Podb._ It's not so easy to tell him as you think. We haven't been
on speaking terms these three days. And, after all (_feebly_) we're
supposed to be travelling together, don't you know! _You_ might drop
him a hint now.

_Prend._ Don't see how I can very well--not on my own hook. Might lead
to ructions with HYPATIA, too.

_Podb._ (_anxiously_). BOB, you--you don't think your sister
really--eh?

_Prend._ HYPATIA's a rum girl--always was. She certainly don't seem to
object to your friend CULCHARD. What the dickens she can see in him,
I don't know!--but it's no use my putting _my_ oar in. She'd only jump
on _me_, y'know!

_Podb._ (_rising_). Then I _must_. If that's what he's really after,
I think I can stop his little game. I'll try, at any rate. It's a long
worm that has no turning, and I've had about enough of it. The first
chance I get. I'll go for him.

_Prend._ Good luck