SHAFTO. Forget all round, my dear Jack—that’s the ticket; for the future, cultivate a single-minded devotion to yourself—— JOHN. And the horses! You’re right, Denzil. By the bye, I had a line from O’Halligan yesterday—where is it? [_Going to a writing-table and rummaging among the litter there._] He fancies Kildaowen very strongly. The mare’s feeding well; that’s always been their difficulty, you know—— SHAFTO. [_Quietly, looking towards the window._] Jack. JOHN. Eh? SHAFTO. Who’s that woman out there? [ELPHICK _ceases playing_. JOHN. Where? SHAFTO. In your garden. [JOHN _looks towards the window_; ELPHICK _rises and makes one of the group_. JOHN. [_After a pause._] I don’t see anybody. SHAFTO. She’s behind the laurels now. JOHN. [_About to go to the window._] One of the maids—— SHAFTO. [_Laying his hand on_ JOHN’S _arm_.] Wait a bit. [_Goes cautiously to the window, peeps out, and comes away._] I say, old chap. JOHN. What’s the matter? SHAFTO. I thought so. It’s your wife. [_There is a moment’s pause, then an excited movement from_ JOHN.] Stop! [_A pause._] What are you going to do? JOHN. [_Dazed._] Do!... do!... SHAFTO. Not anything stoopid, Jack? JOHN. [_Excitedly._] Clear out for a minute, you two fellows. [SHAFTO _goes up the steps and into the library, drawing the_ portière _across the door as he disappears_. JOHN. Get out, Peter! ELPHICK. [_Going up the steps and pausing at the door._] Jack. JOHN. What is it? ELPHICK. [_With an empty expression of face and voice._] Don’t do anything weak. JOHN. Get out! [ELPHICK _disappears_. JOHN _hurriedly glances round the room and arranges a displaced chair. Then he discovers that_ ELPHICK _has left the banjo upon the settee, and he seizes it impatiently_.] Oh—— [_Going to the door of the library and drawing aside the_ portière.] Here! Peter! catch! [_He throws the banjo into the room, and readjusts the_ portière. _The instrument is heard to fall with a crash to the floor. He looks into the library, hastily._] I beg your pardon, old fellow. [_He descends the steps and goes to the window and opens it, speaking in a low voice._] Is any one there? [_A pause._] Someone’s there.