ND. Nothing.

MACAIRE. The table! I beg your pardon.

DUMONT. Why, it's my cash-box!

MACIARE. Why, so it is!

DUMONT. It's very singular.

MACAIRE. Diabolishly singular.

BERTRAND. Early worms, early worms!

DUMONT (_blowing in key_). Well, I suppose you are still willing to
begone?

MACAIRE. More than willing, my dear soul: pressed, I may say, for time;
for though it had quite escaped my memory, I have an appointment in
Turin with a lady of title.

DUMONT (_at box_). It's very odd. (_Blows in key._) It's a singular
thing (_blowing_), key won't turn. It's a patent. Someone must have
tampered with the lock (_blowing_). It's strangely singular, it's
singularly singular! I've shown this key to commercial gentlemen all the
way from Paris: they never saw a better key! (_more business_). Well,
(_giving it up and looking reproachfully on key_,) that's pretty
singular.

MACAIRE. Let me try. (_He tries, and flings down the key with a curse._)
Bitten!

BERTRAND. Sold again!

DUMONT (_picking up key_). It's a patent key.

Macaire (_to BERTRAND_). The game's up: we must save the swag. (_To
DUMONT._) Sir, since your key, on which I invoke the blight of Egypt,
has once more defaulted, my feelings are unequal to a repetition of
yesterday's distress, and I shall simply pad the hoof. From Turin you
shall receive the address of my banker, and may prosperity attend your
ventures. (_To BERTRAND._) Now, boy! (_To DUMONT._) Embrace my
fatherless child! farewell! (_MACAIRE and BERTRAND turn to go off, and
are met in the door by the GENDARMES._)

SCENE III

_To these, the BRIGADIER and GENDARMES_

BRIGADIER. Let no man leave the house.

MACAIRE. Bitten! \
> _Aside._
BERTRAND. Sold again! /

DUMONT. Welcome, old friend!

BRIGADIER. It is not the friend that comes; it is the Brigadier. Summon
your guests; I must investigate their passports. I am in pursuit of a
notorious malefactor, Robert Macaire.

DUMONT. But I was led to believe that both Macaire and his accomplice
had been arrested and condemned.

BRIGADIER. They were, but they have once more escaped for the moment,
and justice is indefatigable. (_He sits at table, R._) Dumont, a bottle
of white wine.

MACAIRE (_to DUMONT_). My excellent friend, I will discharge your
commission, and return with all speed. (_Going._)

BRIGADIER. Halt!

MACAIRE (_returning: as if he saw BRIGADIER for the first time_). Ha! a
member of the f