JACK. How much do you want? (_Producing loose cash._) WALTER. Two or three pounds. (_Looks in JACK’S hand._) I’ll take four. (_Does so._) Stop, I’ll give you a duplicate key of the cupboard. (_Gives key._) The figure has got my black coat on, and I want it for Brighton. When you come back, it will be wearing _this_ one. (_Pointing to coat he is wearing._) JACK. Right. WALTER. Explain that to Stella. JACK. Right oh! (_JACK goes into drawing-room R._) (_WALTER picks up and puts on his brown bowler, goes quickly up, unlocks cupboard, puts key back in pocket, then goes in after saying:_) WALTER. Now, Mr. Davidson, my coat, if you please. (_He opens door wide, showing figure seated as before, then goes in and the door closes._) (_He is then heard calling loudly in cupboard:_) I say! let me go! confound you--Jack--Jack--I say! the thing is moving! (_Loud noise of struggle._) Hold on, damn it! don’t hit me on the head! Do you want to STUN me? Jack! (_A loud cry and two thumps, then the cupboard door slowly opens, AUTOMATON puts head out--the actor having had time to change into the black coat before entering as the automaton. It creeps out, not opening the door more than necessary--business, tries to re-open door by hitting it. It wears the black bowler set to one side of head. Comes down C., stiffly, and remarks, “Yow,” then goes up. MRS. ANDERSON enters D. in F. with dishes and sets table in recess with back to audience. He goes towards MRS. ANDERSON. She starts on seeing his strange manner. He turns and goes across and straight off D. in F., she goes after him._) MRS. ANDERSON (_calling after him_). Mr. Everest, sir! (_Exit AUTOMATON D. in F._) (_Exit MRS. ANDERSON D. in F._) (_JACK and STELLA enter from R._) JACK. I left him changing his coat. STELLA (_looking out of window_). There he is turning the corner; he _has_ changed his coat. JACK. Let’s have a proper look at this wonderful thing before the old lady comes. (_They fetch out chair with WALTER seated on it and bring it down stage, where they wheel the chair right round so that the stunned WALTER faces audience. He is hatless._) STELLA. Hasn’t it slipped down in the chair since we saw it last? JACK. I don’t think so. STELLA. Look at its eyes--Jack, they’re opening--it’s moving! JACK. Great Heavens! it’s being born! WALTER (_half stunned and waking_). Where am I? STELLA. It speaks! JACK. It’s living! WALTER. I want a drink! JACK. Good lord! It drinks! (_STELLA screams and falls on seat. Bell again rings loudly off R._) Hullo! there’s Mrs. Everest! (_He takes WALTER, who has risen, by the arm._) Come with me, sir (_leads him to bedroom L._). In there with you, quick! (_Kicks him in quickly, and locks door._) (_STELLA meantime has hurried up with the chair and put it in cupboard and closes door._) Phew! this is the most extraordinary thing! (_Hurries down, saying:_) Where are the telegraph forms?