The Ghost Breaker: A Melodramatic Farce in Four Acts Part 15

JARVIS. Good-bye.

PRINCESS. (C.) Mr. Warren, we must start at once.

JARVIS. Courage--if your brother is there, I'll find him. You must be patient and remain here where you are safe, and try to rest.

PRINCESS. I cannot rest until I know what has happened to him. I shall go mad if I am left alone.

JARVIS. But it is not safe for you to go.

PRINCESS. Nevertheless, Mr. Warren, I will go to my brother tonight.

JARVIS. Now, my dear child! (_Pause._) I beg your pardon, but please--oh, please let me insist on one condition.

PRINCESS. Name it.

JARVIS. Let me go ahead and look over the ground. I will signal when it is safe to follow.

PRINCESS. How can you signal?

JARVIS. With a light--(_Cross to window_ L.)--from one of those towers.

You can see it from here. You won't have long to wait. It will shine within an hour.

PRINCESS. (L.C.) But if you--if it does not shine?

JARVIS. Well, then I'll be too busy swapping lead for brimstone with Mr.

Spook to stop and hang a lantern.

PRINCESS. Oh, but you are brave! You must have the locket with the memorandum. (_Start to stairs._)

JARVIS. Yes, of course, where is it?

PRINCESS. It's in my room. I won't be long. (_On stairs._)

JARVIS. Suppose you give me that, and we'll start at once.

PRINCESS. Very well. (_Exit upstairs and off._)

JARVIS. (_Calling_) Rusty! Oh, Rusty!

RUSTY. (_Off_) Yas, sir! Yas, sir!

JARVIS. Bring down my hat and coat. We're starting.

RUSTY. Yas, sir.

JARVIS. (L.C.) I wouldn't change places with that spook for all the gold--(_Enter_ RUSTY)--that she thinks is in that castle. (RUSTY _comes down with hat and coat_.) Oh, don't hurry like that, Rusty--I hate to see you hurry.

RUSTY. (_On bottom step_) I smell something cooking--smells like a Spanish pork chop. (_Gives hat and coat to Jarvis._)

PRINCESS. (_Calling from upstairs_) Mr. Warren--Mr. Warren---- (_Darts up steps; is met half-way by_ PRINCESS.) Mr. Warren----

JARVIS. Well?

PRINCESS. The locket!

JARVIS. The locket gone?

PRINCESS. Yes.

JARVIS. And the memorandum?

PRINCESS. Gone, too.

JARVIS. Quick, Rusty! The horses!

RUSTY. Yas, sir.

JARVIS. We've no time to lose.

RUSTY. Yas, sir. (_Exits._)

JARVIS. (_Both on stairs_) Your Highness, I've struck the first trail of the spook that is haunting your castle.

PRINCESS. You think----

JARVIS. I think your cousin has not gone to Madrid. Time is everything now.

PRINCESS. You know the way?

JARVIS. North road--second turn to the right.

PRINCESS. Yes, that leads to the postern gate.

(_Enter_ ROBLEDO--_stands in arch under stairs, revolver drawn_.)

JARVIS. I understand. (_Starting._)

PRINCESS. Wait! This little cross! Will you wear it for me tonight?

(_Slips chain over_ JARVIS' _head_. ROBLEDO _looks up and steps back in alcove_.)

JARVIS. Only for tonight?

PRINCESS. You may never see tomorrow.

JARVIS. If I don't see you tomorrow, forgive me for telling you tonight that I love you. (_Raises hand to stop her reply._) Don't rebuke me tonight. Wait until tomorrow, if tomorrow ever comes. (_Pause._) And now your humble va.s.sal goes forth in his lady's cause--and while all Segura waits, ghosts and Ghost Breaker shall stalk those halls. Your Highness, within the hour I will hang your signal from the castle. (_Carries her hands to his lips._)

PRINCESS. G.o.d be with you! (_Exits upstairs._)