INGOLDSBY (_undecided, but very angry_) We ought to know who’s spying on us like this. MRS. BRIGGS (_clutching at him_) Oh! THE MYSTERIOUS VOICE (_indignantly_) I’m not spying! This is a public room in a public hotel-- MRS. BRIGGS (_moaning_) Oh! THE MYSTERIOUS VOICE (_continuing_) Any guest of this hotel has a right to sit here in peace, and if you _will_ go on talking about your private affairs in a public room-- MRS. BRIGGS (_leaning on Ingoldsby’s arm_) Oh, my! THE MYSTERIOUS VOICE (_continuing heatedly_) Why, it’s your own fault, not mine. I was only warning you not to go any further. I’ve heard enough of other people’s private affairs for one afternoon, anyhow. MRS. BRIGGS (_almost hysterically_) Oh, let’s go! (_She swings the reluctant and angry Ingoldsby toward the left entrance._) Let’s _go_! INGOLDSBY (_turning to call back angrily_) I don’t know who you are, sir; but when I’ve seen this lady to a--a place of safety--I _intend_ to know. I’ll be _back_ here, sir. THE MYSTERIOUS VOICE Fine! MRS. BRIGGS Oh, mercy! (_She moves hastily away from Ingoldsby as Jessie suddenly comes in, from the left, confronting them._) JESSIE (_halting sharply_) What in the world’s the matter? MRS. BRIGGS (_in a shaking voice_) Nothing! Nothing at all, Jessie. Why should you think anything’s the matter? JESSIE Why, you’re all upset! MRS. BRIGGS (_trying hard to seem lightly amused, and failing_) Not at all--not at all! I was just sitting here a moment with Mr. Ingoldsby, chatting over old times and--and then we decided to leave. We decided to leave--that’s all. I--I’m--(_Suddenly she starts, and with an incoherent exclamation looks behind her. Then she faces Jessie and, with a painful effort to smile, completes her sentence._) I’m all right. JESSIE Yes, you seem so. Mr. Ingoldsby, will you kindly tell me what you’ve been saying to my mother to upset her so? MRS. BRIGGS But I’m not-- INGOLDSBY (_checking her sharply_) Miss Briggs, I should not be likely to say anything disrespectful to my old and dear friend, your mother. (_Looking around angrily._) The truth is, there’s an eavesdropping scoundrel concealed in this room, and I-- JESSIE (_alarmed_) What! Oh, I’m _sure_ there isn’t. INGOLDSBY There is! An eavesdropping-- THE MYSTERIOUS VOICE (_angrily_) This is a public room, I told you. How can I help it if you-- INGOLDSBY I can’t stand this. He’s behind that chair. (_He breaks away from Mrs. Briggs and Jessie, who both clutch at him._) JESSIE (_crying out_) Don’t! _Please_ don’t! MRS. BRIGGS (_simultaneously_) Henry! Don’t! (_But Ingoldsby has already reached the Philippine chair that has its back turned toward the front of the stage; he seizes Rupert by the collar and drags him forth. Rupert is horrified._) INGOLDSBY Come out of there, you scoundrel. Come out to the light of day. RUPERT (_hastily_)