(_She backs out the rear door, looking beseechingly at the company, as though urging everyone to have pity on her son-in-law. She retires, sobbing. The others stand there looking at Ponza with pity and terror; but the moment Signora Frola has left the room, he regains his normal composure, an air of despairing melancholy, and he says coolly, but with profound seriousness_): PONZA. I hope you good people will excuse me for this scene. A scene it really was, I suppose! But how could I avoid it? I had to rave like that to repair the damage which you good people, with the best of intentions, and surely without dreaming what you are really doing, have done to this unfortunate woman. AGAZZI (_in astonishment_). What do you mean? That you were just acting? You were pretending all that? PONZA. Of course I was! Don't you people understand that I had to? The only way to keep her in her obsession is for me to shout the truth that way, as though I myself had gone mad, as though I were the lunatic! Understand? But please forgive me. I must be going now. I must go in and see how she is. (_He hurries out through the rear door. The others stand where they are in blank amazement_). LAUDISI (_coming forward_). And there, ladies and gentlemen, you have the truth! Hah! hah! hah; hah; hah; hah! hah! _Curtain._ ACT III _The same scene. As the curtain rises, Laudisi is sprawling in an easy chair, reading a book. Through the door that leads into the parlor on the left comes the confused murmur of many voices._ _The butler appears in the rear door, introducing the police commissioner_, CENTURI. CENTURI _is a tall, stiff, scowling official, with a decidedly professional air. He is in the neighborhood of forty._ THE BUTLER. This way, sir. I will call Signor Agazzi at once. LAUDISI (_drawing himself up in his chair and looking around_). Oh, it's you, Commissioner! (_He rises hastily and recalls the butler, who has stepped out through the door_). One moment, please! Wait! (_To Centuri_). Anything new, Commissioner? COMMISSIONER (_stiffly_). Yes, something new! LAUDISI. Ah! Very well. (_To the butler_): Never mind. I'll call him myself. (_He motions with his hand toward the door on the left. The butler bows and withdraws_). You have worked miracles, Commissioner! You're the savior of this town. Listen! Do you hear them! You are the lion of the place! How does it feel to be the father of your country? But say, what you've discovered is all solid fact? COMMISSIONER. We've managed to unearth a few people. LAUDISI. From Ponza's town? People who know all about him? COMMISSIONER. Yes! And we have gathered from them a few facts,--not many, perhaps, but well authenticated.