rk. (_He
goes over to table_ R. _and sits down stage end of table. Takes paper
and gets pencil._) With the exception of Mr. Crosby, who is known to
nearly everyone, and Mr. Standish, who has so pleasantly introduced
himself to me, I know none of you. So I'll have to ask-- (_He stops
suddenly and rises, facing them all. He points slowly to the
chesterfield, facing fireplace up_ C.) That's rather a gruesome thing
there. I think we'll move it into another room. Will some of you
gentlemen carry Mr. Wales' body into the other room. (_There is a pause.
The men all hesitate. Finally_ MASON _starts to move to chesterfield._
DONOHUE _is down stage_ R.C.) Thank you very much. We'll--

(_Coming to_ C. DUNN _enters from_ L.)

DUNN. Dr. Bernstein himself is on the way here, Inspector.

DONOHUE. Good! Mike, get one of the servants to help you to carry this
sofa into another room.

(DUNN _turns and exits_ L. _without speaking._)

I won't have to trouble you after all, sir.

(MASON _drops down to console table_ R. _of chesterfield._ DONOHUE
_gives a little laugh._)

Funny how these old superstitions cling to us. One of the first tests
for guilt invented by detectives was to ask a supposed murderer to touch
the body of his victim. (_Slight pause._) The test didn't work very
well, did it? Certainly you four gentlemen can't all be guilty. (_Slight
pause._) Well, we'll have to try something else. (_Very impressively._)
Because, you know, I really am going to arrest the murderer of Edward
Wales to-night.

(DUNN _enters from_ L., _followed by_ POLLOCK.)

Carry the sofa into another room, please.

CROSBY (_down_ L.). Into that room, please. (_Indicating door_ L.C.)

(DUNN _goes up to door_ L.C., _turns knob--discovers door is locked._
POLLOCK _crosses to_ R. _end of chesterfield facing fireplace on which
dummy has been placed between first and second acts. Dummy is covered
with a drapery_.)

DUNN (_at door_ L.C.). The door is locked.

DONOHUE (C.). Oh, yes, try these keys.

(DUNN _comes down_ L.C., _gets keys, goes up and unlocks door. He and_
POLLOCK _pick up chesterfield,_ POLLOCK _taking his end of chesterfield
through door_ L.C. _first._)

And, Mike!

(DUNN _turns his head._)

DUNN. Yes, sir.

DONOHUE. Make as quick an examination as you can and report to me here.
(_The men exit carrying sofa into room_ L.C. DONOHUE _crosses to chair
below table_ R. _and sits._ TRENT _places chair_ L.C.) If you will all
come a lit