I will explain. Cards on the table, my lord. I have told you your affairs; now I will tell you mine. I am one of the principal money-dealers in Kantersten Street, Brussels. I lend money; it is my business. I lend ten and get back fifteen. I lend to every one: I would lend to the devil; I would lend to the Pope. Two months ago one of my creditors died, without paying me. It was an old exiled servant of the Talbot family. The poor man left nothing but a few rags: I seized them. Among these rags I found a box, and in the box some papers--Jane Talbot's papers, my lord, giving her entire history in detail and furnishing proofs for better times. The Queen of England had just given you Jane Talbot's estates. I was in great need of the Queen of England at that time, for I wanted to make a loan of ten thousand gold marks. I realized that I might do business with you. I came to England in this disguise; I made myself a spy upon you, upon Jane Talbot. I did it all myself. In this way I learned everything, and here I am. You shall have Jane Talbot's papers if you give me the Queen's signature in blank. I will write upon it that the Queen shall give me ten thousand gold marks. They owe me something at the excise-office, but I won't haggle. Ten thousand gold marks--nothing more. I don't ask you for the sum, because only a crowned head could pay it. I am speaking frankly, you see. Two men as clever as we are, my lord, have nothing to gain by deceiving each other. If frankness were banished from the earth, it would be re-discovered in a _tête-à-tête_ between two rogues. FABIANI. Impossible! I can't give you this signature in blank. Ten thousand gold marks! What would the Queen say? And then, to-morrow I may be disgraced: this signature in blank is my safeguard. This signature in blank is my head. THE MAN. What does that matter to me? FABIANI. Ask me for something else. THE MAN. I want that. FABIANI. Jew, give me Jane Talbot's papers. THE MAN. My lord, give me the Queen's signature in blank. FABIANI. Accursed Jew, I will have to yield. [_Draws a paper from his pocket._ THE MAN. Show me the Queen's signature in blank. FABIANI. Show me Talbot's papers. THE MAN. Afterward. [_They go close to the lantern. Fabiani stands behind the Jew, and with his left hand holds the paper under the Jew's eyes; he examines it. The Man reads._ "We, Mary, Queen--" It is well. You see, my lord, I am like you. I have calculated upon everything. I have foreseen everything. FABIANI (_draws a dagger with his right hand and plunges it into the Jew's throat_). Except this! THE MAN. Oh, traitor! Help! [_He falls. In falling he throws a sealed packet into the darkness behind him; Fabiani does not perceive it._ FABIANI (_leaning over the body_).