BARTHWICK. So this is the way that forty pounds has gone! One thing after another! Once more I should like to know where you 'd have been if it had n't been for me! You don't seem to have any principles. You--you're one of those who are a nuisance to society; you--you're dangerous! What your mother would say I don't know. Your conduct, as far as I can see, is absolutely unjustifiable. It's--it's criminal. Why, a poor man who behaved as you've done --d' you think he'd have any mercy shown him? What you want is a good lesson. You and your sort are--[he speaks with feeling]--a nuisance to the community. Don't ask me to help you next time. You're not fit to be helped. JACK. [Turning upon his sire, with unexpected fierceness.] All right, I won't then, and see how you like it. You would n't have helped me this time, I know, if you had n't been scared the thing would get into the papers. Where are the cigarettes? BARTHWICK. [Regarding him uneasily.] Well I 'll say no more about it. [He rings the bell.] I 'll pass it over for this once, but---- [MARLOW Comes in.] You can clear away. [He hides his face behind the "Times."] JACK. [Brightening.] I say, Marlow, where are the cigarettes? MARLOW. I put the box out with the whisky last night, sir, but this morning I can't find it anywhere. JACK. Did you look in my room? MARLOW. Yes, sir; I've looked all over the house. I found two Nestor ends in the tray this morning, so you must have been smokin' last night, sir. [Hesitating.] I 'm really afraid some one's purloined the box. JACK. [Uneasily.] Stolen it! BARTHWICK. What's that? The cigarette-box! Is anything else missing? MARLOW. No, sir; I 've been through the plate. BARTHWICK. Was the house all right this morning? None of the windows open? MARLOW. No, sir. [Quietly to JACK.] You left your latch-key in the door last night, sir. [He hands it back, unseen by BARTHWICK] JACK. Tst! BARTHWICK. Who's been in the room this morning? MARLOW. Me and Wheeler, and Mrs. Jones is all, sir, as far as I know. BARTHWICK. Have you asked Mrs. Barthwick? [To JACK.] Go and ask your mother if she's had it; ask her to look and see if she's missed anything else. [JACK goes upon this mission.] Nothing is more disquieting than losing things like this. MARLOW. No, sir. BARTHWICK. Have you any suspicions? MARLOW, No, sir. BARTHWICK. This Mrs. Jones--how long has she been working here? MARLOW. Only this last month, sir. BARTHWICK. What sort of person? MARLOW. I don't know much about her, sir; seems a very quiet, respectable woman. BARTHWICK. Who did the room this morning? MARLOW. Wheeler and Mrs. Jones, Sir. BARTHWICK. [With his forefinger upraised.] Now, was this Mrs. Jones in the room alone at any time? MARLOW. [Expressionless.] Yes, Sir. BARTHWICK. How do you know that? MARLOW. [Reluctantly.] I found her here, sir. BARTHWICK. And has Wheeler been in the room alone?