Macaire (_to BERTRAND_). The game's up: we must save the swag. (_To DUMONT._) Sir, since your key, on which I invoke the blight of Egypt, has once more defaulted, my feelings are unequal to a repetition of yesterday's distress, and I shall simply pad the hoof. From Turin you shall receive the address of my banker, and may prosperity attend your ventures. (_To BERTRAND._) Now, boy! (_To DUMONT._) Embrace my fatherless child! farewell! (_MACAIRE and BERTRAND turn to go off, and are met in the door by the GENDARMES._) SCENE III _To these, the BRIGADIER and GENDARMES_ BRIGADIER. Let no man leave the house. MACAIRE. Bitten! \ > _Aside._ BERTRAND. Sold again! / DUMONT. Welcome, old friend! BRIGADIER. It is not the friend that comes; it is the Brigadier. Summon your guests; I must investigate their passports. I am in pursuit of a notorious malefactor, Robert Macaire. DUMONT. But I was led to believe that both Macaire and his accomplice had been arrested and condemned. BRIGADIER. They were, but they have once more escaped for the moment, and justice is indefatigable. (_He sits at table, R._) Dumont, a bottle of white wine. MACAIRE (_to DUMONT_). My excellent friend, I will discharge your commission, and return with all speed. (_Going._) BRIGADIER. Halt! MACAIRE (_returning: as if he saw BRIGADIER for the first time_). Ha! a member of the force? Charmed, I'm sure. But you misconceive me: I return, at once, and my friend remains behind to answer for me. BRIGADIER. Justice is insensible to friendship. I shall deal with you in due time. Dumont, that bottle. MACAIRE. Sir, my friend and I, who are students of character, would grasp the opportunity to share and--may one add?--to pay the bottle. Dumont, three! BERTRAND. For God's sake! (_Enter ALINE and MAIDS._) MACAIRE. My friend is an author: so, in a humbler way, am I. Your knowledge of the criminal classes naturally tempts one to pursue so interesting an acquaintance. BRIGADIER. Justice is impartial. Gentlemen, your health. MACAIRE. Will not these brave fellows join us? BRIGADIER. They are on duty; but what matters? MACAIRE. My dear sir, what is duty? duty is my eye. BRIGADIER (_solemnly_). And Betty Martin. (_GENDARMES sit at table._) MACAIRE (_to BERTRAND_). Dear friend, sit down. BERTRAND (_sitting down_). O Lord! BRIGADIER (_to MACAIRE_). You seem to be a gentleman of considerable intelligence. MACAIRE. I fear, sir, you flatter. One has lived, one has loved, and one remembers: that is all. One's "Lives of Celebrated Criminals" has met with a certain success, and one is ever in quest of fresh material. DUMONT. By the way, a singular thing about my patent key. BRIGADIER. This gentleman is speaking. MACAIRE. Excellent Dumont! he means no harm. This Macaire is not personally known to you? BRIGADIER. Are you connected with justice? MACAIRE. Ah, sir, justice is a point above a poor author. BRIGADIER (_with glass_). Justice is the very devil.