RAT. Now, madam, as every moment is of the utmost importance you must be good enough to answer a few questions. In the first place how the entrance to the house was effected by the robbers. (_taking out his pocket book and pencil._) MRS. S. Robbers!--there was only one. RAT. Only one! (_to POSTLETHWAITE_) I understood you to say there were-- POS. (_interrupting him_) Yes, yes. (_aside to him_) Of course, she doesn't know how many there were, because as soon as she saw _one_ she fainted. RAT. True! (_smiling_) MRS. S. (_aside_) That voice again--I must be mistaken--yet, every word he utters--(_looking again fixedly at RATCLIFFE_) RAT. (_C., to MRS. S._) You have not answered my question, madam. MRS. S. I can only say, sir, that on being left alone, I was disturbed by a slight noise, and on turning round, he stood before me--as you do. RAT. A bold and impudent villain, evidently. I can easily conceive your alarm, madam, but luckily your cousin here on hearing your piercing shrieks, (_POSTLETHWAITE pulls his coat tail_) rushes to your assistance, and with one blow of his masculine fist-- POS. (_stopping him, and aside_) That'll do--don't remind her of that terrific scene, it distresses her. RAT. (_smiling again_) True. (_to MRS. S._) Then, madam, you would probably be able to identify this audacious criminal? MRS. S. (_with intention_) Not with absolute certainty, sir. POS. No, more should I. RAT. That's strange too, considering the length of time you were struggling with him. POS. Yes, yes. (_aside to him_) That'll do--she can't bear it. MRS. S. (_still with intention_) And were I to act upon my present _suspicions,_ however well grounded they may appear, I might be the means of compromising-- RAT. Who, madam? MRS. S. (_looking at him_) One perhaps, whose position in society---- RAT. Nay, madam--as the representative of the law, I tell you that it matters not what his social position may be, we must not mince matters. POS. Certainly not. I'd rather mince him. Fifteen thousand pounds is a lump of money. RAT. (_with pretended astonishment_) Fifteen thousand pounds--the unconscionable scoundrel!--one moment (_writing in the pocket book_)--amount stolen--fifteen thousand pounds; number of robbers---- POS. (_aside to him_) Uncertain! as there seems to be a little difference of opinion between cousin and me upon that point. You'd better say "uncertain." RAT. (_to MRS. S._) Bank notes, I presume? MRS. S. Yes, sir--bank notes. RAT. And contained in that writing desk. MRS. S. (_aside_) 'Tis he, I'm sure of it (_hastily and aside to POSTLETHWAITE, while RATCLIFFE is examining the writing desk_)--tell me, do you say you know him? POS. Who, the housebreaker? MRS. S. No, that person. (_pointing to RATCLIFFE_) POS. Know my friend Ratcliffe, of course I do. RAT. (_observing them and coming down, between them._) I regret I cannot hold out to you any reasonable hope of recovering your property. POS. You don't mean that?