A SECOND GENTLEMAN. Not exactly to a T! Not exactly to a T! In the case you mention the man didn't marry again. Here, this man Ponza is living with another woman.... LAUDISI (_his face brightening with a new idea that has suddenly come to him_). I have it, ladies and gentlemen! Did you hear that? It's perfectly simple. Dear me, as simple as Columbus's egg! EVERYBODY. What? What? What? What? THE SECOND GENTLEMAN. What did I say? I didn't realize it was important. LAUDISI. Just a moment, ladies and gentlemen! (_Turning to Agazzi_): Is the prefect coming here, by chance? AGAZZI. Yes, we were expecting him. But what's the new idea? LAUDISI. Why, you were bringing him here to talk with Signora Frola. So far, he is standing by Ponza. When he has talked with the old lady, he'll know whether to believe Ponza or her. That's _your_ idea! Well, I've thought of something better that the prefect can do. Something that he only can do. EVERYBODY. What is it? What is it? What is it? LAUDISI (_triumphantly_). Why, this wife of Ponza's, of course ... at least, the woman he is living with! What this gentleman said suggested the idea to me. SIRELLI. Get the second woman to talk? Of course! Of course! DINA. But how can we, when she is kept under lock and key? LAUDISI. Why, the prefect can use his authority--order her to speak! AMALIA. Certainly, she is the one who can clear up the whole mystery. SIGNORA SIRELLI. I don't believe it. She'll say just what her husband tells her to say. LAUDISI. Of course, if she were to speak in his presence of course! SIRELLI. She must speak with the prefect privately, all by himself. AGAZZI. And the prefect, as the final authority over the man, will insist that the wife make a formal explicit statement before him. Of course, of course! What do you say, Commissioner? COMMISSIONER. Why certainly, there's no doubt that if the prefect were so inclined.... AGAZZI. It is the only way out of it, after all. We ought to 'phone him and explain that he needn't go to the trouble of coming here. You attend to that, will you, Commissioner? COMMISSIONER. Very glad to! My compliments, ladies! Good afternoon, gentlemen! SIGNORA SIRELLI. A good idea for once, Laudisi. DINA. Oh, Nunky, how clever of you! Wise old Nunky! THE COMPANY. The only way out of it! Yes! Yes! Fine! At last! AGAZZI. Curious none of us thought of that before! SIRELLI. Not so curious! None of us ever set eyes on the woman. She might as well be in another world, poor girl. LAUDISI (_as though suddenly impressed by this latter reflection_). In another world? Why yes,--are you really sure there is such a woman? AMALIA. Oh I say! Please, please, Lamberto!