WALTER. After I went out--before I came home? Did I speak? STELLA. No. WALTER. It’s as plain as a pikestaff, it’s come home! STELLA (_slowly and firmly_). I believe you’re right. Now I’ve seen you both I’ll never mistake again. WALTER. It must be somewhere on the premises now. (_They hurriedly look about under furniture, and meet and collide up C., and say, “Oh!” Noise in china cupboard._) WALTER. It’s in the bedroom. Run down to Mrs. Anderson and borrow the very largest blanket. STELLA. Why? WALTER. I want something to throw over it. (_STELLA exit D. in F._) WALTER (_listens to fresh sounds_). No! It’s in the china cupboard! (_A wooden hand with fingers extended is mysteriously thrust out of china cupboard door. He gets a plate and smashes it on this hand, which is at once withdrawn. This can be done with a real hand and smash plate on door near it._) (_He quickly turns key._) WALTER. Got it--got it! (_He jubilantly dances down C., then goes and calls out D. in F._) Stella, Stella, I’ve locked it in the china cupboard. I don’t want the blanket. (_Returns._) Gone in the kitchen, I suppose! (_Takes up parcel._) Change my coat at last and get away! (_Goes into bedroom L._) (_Immediately on his exit a loud smashing in china clipboard, then the door flies into splinters and is knocked down, and AUTOMATON enters quickly, hurries right round C., and into bedroom after WALTER._) WALTER (_within, as loud noise in bedroom_). Hi! stop! AUTOMATON (_within_). Yow-yow. WALTER (_rushing in, dressed in black coat_). By Jove! what an escape! (_JACK, carrying blanket of green flannel or red, enters with STELLA, who has gag and handcuffs--enter D. in F._) (_WALTER makes signs to them, pointing to bedroom and beckoning them to follow him there._) JACK. Is that it? STELLA. Yes, yes, Jack, yes! (_JACK throws blanket over WALTER, and they get him on chair C._) JACK. Hurrah! we’ve got him now! (_Business: secure him with rope round his legs and gag, then take blanket off._) (_WALTER, gagged, groans._) No more climbing tall chimney stacks! (_WALTER groans._) STELLA. Is it in pain? JACK. Of course not. STELLA. It groans so! JACK. Rather mad at being caught. STELLA. Is it wax-work? JACK. More like indiarubber. I suppose you do see the difference this time? STELLA. Rather. JACK. That’s not flesh and blood. (_Pulling its nose._) STELLA. It seems to want to explain something. JACK. It will never get the chance of that. (_Lighting a candle from mantel R._) STELLA. Poor thing! are you tired of living? (_Groan._) JACK. How can it answer you? STELLA. I believe it could if you took the gag out of its mouth. JACK. Hold the candle under its nose. (_Groan._) STELLA. No, no, no! (_JACK puts candle on table._) JACK (_with pin from waistcoat_). I want to see what it will do when I stick this pin in it. (_Groan._) STELLA. No, no! JACK. In its leg, you can nip its arms and legs. (_Does so--groan._)