He always carries his own among his kit. In any case, if all the arms are at the Town-hall, you have no cause for alarm. Do you answer for your servants? Are there no disaffected ones among them? THE BURGOMASTER What do you call disaffected? They are irritated, incensed, indignant, exasperated, that’s natural enough; but they know how to restrain themselves and are not such fools as to attempt a useless murder, which would entail the destruction of the town and the death of hundreds of innocent victims, as at Dinant, Andenne, Louvain and Aerschot. I know them; they will be patient and bide their time. OTTO What time? THE BURGOMASTER The time that will come later. OTTO I don’t understand you. Here you are talking like our worst enemies! THE BURGOMASTER Do you expect me to be one of your friends? Would you insult me by numbering me among those who.... But I won’t say what I was going to say, it’s better not.... This incident has unnerved me. For I know that I am responsible and that if any unpleasantness occurs, it will be on my head. OTTO I hear footsteps outside the house. (_Going to the balcony-window and opening it._) Is that you, Sergeant Hartung? What is it? THE SERGEANT (_In the garden below, unseen._) I don’t know, sir. I saw Lieutenant von Schaunberg go that way. OTTO When? THE SERGEANT A quarter of an hour ago. OTTO (_To the_ BURGOMASTER.) It’s what I told you: he has gone shooting in the wood. THE SERGEANT Beg pardon, sir, he had no gun with him. OTTO Are you sure? That’s odd. Well, run and see what it is, instead of standing there gaping! THE SERGEANT Very good, sir. I was just going when you stopped me. But a lot of my men are there already. OTTO I hear shouts. There’s something I don’t like about this. But here’s one of your men coming back; he’ll tell us what has happened. THE SERGEANT Hurry up, there! What was it? THE SOLDIER (_Also in the garden, unseen._) The Lieutenant? Where’s the Lieutenant? OTTO Here. What’s the matter? Why don’t you speak? THE SOLDIER Sir! Lieutenant von Schaunberg! He’s been murdered. OTTO What? Who? Come nearer! What are you saying? THE SOLDIER He’s dead. OTTO When? How? Send for a doctor. I’ll come down. Perhaps he’s only wounded. THE SOLDIER