Go! [_HARRIS stands still, tightly compressing his lips; MESSITER quickly examines his face by the light of the lantern, then walks round the room, listening, and nodding his head with satisfaction as he passes the various hiding-places. HARRIS writhes in agony; in the end he gives it up and breathes heavily._] Harris! HARRIS. [_Exhausted._] Yes, sir! MESSITER. You're breathing. HARRIS. Oh lor', yes, sir! MESSITER. You'll report yourself to-night! HARRIS. I held on till I nearly went off, sir. MESSITER. [_Giving him the bull's-eye._] Don't argue, but light up. There are half a dozen people concealed in this room. [_There is a cry from the women. CHARLOTTE and VALE rise; LUKYN steps from behind the coats._] I thought so. [_As MESSITER turns, AGATHA POSKET and MR. POSKET rise, CIS comes quickly, catches hold of MR. POSKET, and drags him across to the window._] CIS. [To MR. POSKET.] Come on, Guv. Come on! [_They disappear through the curtain as HARRIS turns up the lights. Then then is a cry and the sound of a crash._ AGATHA POSKET. They're killed! [_MESSITER looks through the window._ MESSITER. No, they're not; they've gone into the kitchen and the balcony with them. Look sharp, Harris. [_HARRIS goes out quickly._ LUKYN. [_To MESSITER._] I shall report you for this, sir. MESSITER. [_Taking out his note-book._] Very sorry, sir; it's my duty. LUKYN. Duty, sir! Coming your confounded detective tricks on ladies and gentlemen! How dare you make ladies and gentlemen suspend their breathing till they nearly have apoplexy? Do you know I'm a short-necked man, sir? MESSITER. I didn't want you to leave off breathing, sir. I wanted you to breathe louder. Your name and address, sir. LUKYN. Gur-r-r-h! MESSITER. Army gentleman, sir? LUKYN. How do you know that? MESSITER. Short style of speaking, sir. Army gentlemen run a bit brusquish when on in years. LUKYN. Oh! Alexander Lukyn--Colonel--Her Majesty's Cheshire Light Infantry, late 41st Foot, 3rd Battalion--Bengal--Retired. MESSITER. [_Writing._] Hotel or club, Colonel? LUKYN. Neither. 19A, Cork Street--lodgings. MESSITER. [_Writing._] Very nice part, Colonel. Thank you. LUKYN. Bah! MESSITER. Other gentleman? VALE. [_With languid hauteur._] Horace Edmund Cholmeley Clive Napier Vale. Captain--Shropshire Fusiliers--Stark's Hotel, Conduit Street. MESSITER. [_Writing._] Retired, sir? VALE. No, confound you--active! MESSITER. Thank you, Captain. Ahem! Beg pardon. The--the ladies. [_CHARLOTTE clings to VALE, AGATHA POSKET to LUKYN._ CHARLOTTE AND AGATHA POSKET. No--no! No--no! LUKYN. [_To AGATHA POSKET._] All right--all right--trust to me! [_To MESSITER._] Well, sir? MESSITER. Names and addresses, please. LUKYN. Officer--my good fellow--tell me now--er--um--at the present moment, what are you most in want of? MESSITER. These two ladies' names and addresses, please. Be quick, Colonel. [_Pointing to AGATHA POSKET._] That lady first. LUKYN.