JANET. And I'll tell you another thing. That Mr. Horning--you know the breathless man on the Evening Courier that came to the Grand Babylon--he's taken lodgings opposite--arrived last night. CARVE. Oh, for a machine gun--one simple little machine gun! (Exit JANET, L.) She immediately returns with a tray containing bread, etc., and a toasting-fork. JANET. So I thought if we just vanished-- CARVE. It's too late--I've had the subpoena. If I hooked it, everybody would say I was an adventurer. JANET. We could come back for the trial. CARVE. We should be followed. JANET. Not if we start now. CARVE. Now? JANET. Yes, now! The back door. Before it gets light. CARVE. Creep away in the dark! No! I'll go through with the thing. JANET. Well, I shall travel alone, then. Here's my bunch of keys. I'll just explain to you where everything is. I daresay Mrs. Simpson will come in and clean up. She's not bad, as charwomen go. CARVE. Jane! JANET. Well! CARVE. You're taking an unfair advantage of me. JANET. (Putting tea leaves in teapot.) What if I am? CARVE. You're only a woman after all.... And I'd thought so highly of you! JANET. (Sweetly.) Then you'll come. Better brush yourself up first. CARVE. What time is it? JANET. (Looking at clock.) Seven o'clock. CARVE. Where do you mean to drag me to? JANET. Well, what about this Continent of yours that I've heard so much of? CARVE. There's a train from Victoria at 8.30. JANET. Very well then. We'll have another breakfast at Victoria. CARVE. And the cab? JANET. There isn't going to be any cab--nor luggage--rousing the whole street! (CARVE goes to window.) For goodness' sake don't draw those curtains--with the gas flaring up! CARVE. Why not? JANET. (Conspiratorial.) Supposing there's some journalist on the watch outside! CARVE. I wanted to look at the weather. JANET. Well, go to the front door, and mind you open it quietly. (Exit CARVE, R.) (JANET pours water on tea.) (Exit, L.) (Re-enter CARVE quickly.) CARVE. I say, here's a curate pushed himself in at the front door! (Re-enter JANET, L.) JANET. No, he's come in at the back. CARVE. But I tell you he's here! (Enter JAMES SHAWN, L. Then enter JOHN SHAWN, R. Pause.) JAMES. Now let me entreat everybody to remain perfectly calm. JANET. Oh, don't worry about that. Nothing startles us now. A few curates more or less.... CARVE. (Sinking into chair.) I suppose this is the very newest journalism. Would you mind me asking a question? JAMES. What is it? (JANET makes the tea.) CARVE. Why did you wait till the door was opened? Seems a pity to stand on ceremony. Why not have broken a window or so and climbed right in? JAMES. John, is mother there? JOHN. (At door, R.) Mother, how often shall I have to ask you to keep close to me? (Enter MRS. SHAWN, R.) MRS. S. I'm all of a tremble.