(_Both_ SAL _and_ JASPER _now being perfectly quiet_, _the back of scene is illuminated_, _showing the scene exactly as at end of Act II_. _The candle is out in the Opium Den_, _leaving front part of stage dark_. _The brightest light in vision is from_ JASPER’S _window_, _leaving other parts of scene slightly in shadow but sufficiently light for action to be seen_. _It is to be carefully noted that all the persons on in the Vision Scene should wear list shoes_, _so that they make no noise in moving about_, _and that the Stage Manager should insist upon perfect quiet behind the stage and at the wings_. _The actors_, _too_, _speak in rather a measured_, _monotonous tone_. _Crowd later on in Vision to be grouped and drilled from this point of view_.) (_The Scene being well open_, _there is a flash of lightning_, _and a peal of thunder_, _followed after a short pause by a burst of merry laughter from_ JASPER’S _room_, _the voices of_ DROOD _and_ NEVILLE _being audible_. _They come down to door_, JASPER _with them_, _without his hat_.) Edwin, Jasper, and Neville are talking. Edwin says he will walk with Neville as far as the river and have a look at the storm. Neville and Jasper exchange good-nights, and Edwin says: ‘Don’t go to bed, Jack, I won’t be long.’ (JASPER _in response waves hand_. _Pause_. _Then re-enters house_, _closes door_. _Goes upstairs_. _Puts light out_, _and is seen for a moment at window_. _Flash of lightning_, _peal of thunder_. _Pause_. JASPER _comes out with hat on head_, _the black silk scarf on arm_. _Comes out cautiously_, _closing door after him and looks round_, _and warily goes to crypt_; _finds door locked and takes key from his pocket with which he opens it_, _and pushes door wide open_. _Creeps off in the direction_ NEVILLE _and_ EDWIN _have gone_. _Pause_. _Weak flash of lightning and peal of thunder_. JASPER _returns crouching_, _and hides within shadow of wall_. _Re-enter_ EDWIN DROOD _from where exit was made_. _He looks up at_ JASPER’S _window_.) Ah, too bad; he has gone to bed and has put his light out. (JASPER _rushes upon_ EDWIN _from behind_, _seizes him_, _whips scarf_, _which he has previously been twisting into rope-like shape_, _round his head and neck_, _and proceeds to strangle him_. _There is a fierce struggle for a few seconds_. _Nearly on the point of death_, EDWIN _gets free of_ JASPER, _sees his assailant_, _and thinks_ JASPER _is there to help him_.) EDWIN. Jack! Jack! Save me! They are killing me! (Flings himself into JASPER’S arms.) JASPER. Save you, yes! (_Deliberately tightens scarf_, _strikes_ EDWIN, _and kills him_. _Flash of lightning and peal of thunder_, _as_ EDWIN _falls lifeless at_ JASPER’S _feet_. _Pause_.)