ough the
slit of the letter-box. While she is gone DANCY stands quite still,
till she comes back.

MABEL. Through the letter-bog--I can see----It's--it's police. Oh!
God! . . . Ronny! I can't bear it.

DANCY. Heads up, Mab! Don't show the brutes!

MABEL. Whatever happens, I'll go on loving you. If it's prison--I'll
wait. Do you understand? I don't care what you did--I don't care! I'm
just the same. I will be just the same when you come back to me.

DANCY. [Slowly] That's not in human nature.

MABEL. It is. It's in Me.

DANCY. I've crocked up your life.

MABEL. No, no! Kiss me!

A long kiss, till the bell again startles them apart, and there is a
loud knock.

DANCY. They'll break the door in. It's no good--we must open. Hold
them in check a little. I want a minute or two.

MABEL. [Clasping him] Ronny! Oh, Ronny! It won't be for long--I'll be
waiting! I'll be waiting--I swear it.

DANCY. Steady, Mab! [Putting her back from him] Now!

He opens the bedroom door, Left, and stands waiting for her to go.
Summoning up her courage, she goes to open the outer door. A sudden
change comes over DANCY'S face; from being stony it grows almost
maniacal.

DANCY. [Under his breath] No! No! By God! No! He goes out into the
bedroom, closing the door behind him.

MABEL has now opened the outer door, and disclosed INSPECTOR DEDE
and the YOUNG CONSTABLE who were summoned to Meldon Court on the
night of the theft, and have been witnesses in the case. Their
voices are heard.

MABEL. Yes?

INSPECTOR. Captain Dancy in, madam?

MABEL. I am not quite sure--I don't think so.

INSPECTOR. I wish to speak to him a minute. Stay here, Grover. Now,
madam!

MABEL. Will you come in while I see?

She comes in, followed by the INSPECTOR.

INSPECTOR. I should think you must be sure, madam. This is not a big
place.

MABEL. He was changing his clothes to go out. I think he has gone.

INSPECTOR. What's that door?

MABEL. To our bedroom.

INSPECTOR. [Moving towards it] He'll be in there, then.

MABEL. What do you want, Inspector?

INSPECTOR. [Melting] Well, madam, it's no use disguising it. I'm
exceedingly sorry, but I've a warrant for his arrest.

MABEL. Inspector!

INSPECTOR. I'm sure I've every sympathy for you, madam; but I must carry
out my instructions.

MABEL. And break my heart?

INSPEC