o find you in such good spirits, and really I
feel very grateful to you for accepting my invitation.

TEXEL. Delighted to make your acquaintance, sir. Two old collectors like
us--rivals at Christie's. I wonder how many times I've cabled over
instructions to my agent to smash you at any cost. Delighted to meet
you, Lord Leonard.

ALCAR. We ought to have met earlier, Mr. Texel. Now I've got you here, I
must tell you I've ventured to invite one or two--er--kindred spirits to
meet you.

(Enter SERVANT.)

SERVANT. Mr. Ebag.

(Enter EBAG.)

(Exit SERVANT).

ALCAR. How d'you do, Ebag?

EBAG. My lord.

ALCAR. Let me introduce you to Mr. Texel. Mr. Texel, this is Mr. Ebag.

TEXEL. (Surprised--aside to LORD LEONARD ALCAR.) This one of your
kindred spirits?

EBAG. (Also surprised?) Mr. Texel!

TEXEL. (Holding out his hand towards EBAG, who takes it.) Well, Mr.
Ebag, I've made a special journey to Europe to get a verdict from an
English court that you've done me up for about thirty thousand dollars,
and if I get it I'll do my level best afterwards to see you safe into
prison; but in the meantime I'm very glad to meet you. I feel sure
you're one of the right sort, whatever you are.

EBAG. You flatter me, Mr. Texel. The gladness is mutual.

(Enter SERVANT.)

SERVANT. Mr. Cyrus Carve. Mr. and Mrs. X.

(Enter JANET. She hesitates in doorway. LORD LEONARD ALCAR
goes to meet her.)

JANET. You Lord Alcar?

ALCAR. I am Lord Leonard Alcar?

JANET. My mistake! (They shake hands.) But why does this young man
call me Mrs. X. I told him Carve, plain enough.

ALCAR. Did he? A slip--a slip! You've brought your husband?

JANET. Yes, but not so easily as all that. I'm afraid he's quarrelling
out there with Mr. Cyrus Carve. They get across one another on the
stairs.

ALCAR. Tut-tut. Excuse me one moment.

(Exit hurriedly.)

(Exit SERVANT.)

JANET. Mr. Ebag! So you're here too! Why, it's a family party.

EBAG. (Astounded.) How do you do, Mrs. Shawn? I beg pardon, Mrs.
Carve.

JANET. It seems I'm Mrs. X now--didn't you hear?

EBAG. I expect the servant had received instructions. His lordship has a
great reputation for wit, you know.

JANET. (Looking round.) And what's this room supposed to be?

EBAG. Oh, the study, probably.

JANET. Really! Not what you'd call 'homely,' is it? Rather like being on
the stage.

(Enter LORD LEONARD ALCAR, leading CARVE on his right