rces of the supernatural with firearms. I--I may tell you
that this specter has been shot at before without the slightest effect.

JARVIS. (_Smiling_) Quite likely, your Excellency. I have seen rifle
fire that had not the slightest effect on a wild-cat for the very
reason that the firing was wilder than the cat.

DUKE. (_As though pitying him_) I am sorry for you Mr. Warren. You will
find the ghost more real than the treasure.

PRINCESS. (_Rising_) But the treasure is real, Carlos. Would I have
crossed the ocean for this locket unless I knew? Why, with this paper
anybody--a total stranger--could walk right up to the very stone that
hides it----

JARVIS. (_Meaningly_) Pretty dangerous paper to have around. Look out
somebody does not get there ahead of you.

DUKE. (_Meaningly to_ JARVIS) Yes, it is a dangerous paper--if it leads
anyone into the castle.

JARVIS. (_Laughingly_) Well, your Excellency, I'd go a long way for the
fun of unravelling a good mystery with a little spice of danger thrown
in.

DUKE. You needn't have gone so far, Mr. Warren. You are leaving a very
unusual case behind you in New York. The papers are full of it. Have you
read them? (_Picking up newspaper._) It will interest you too, Cousin.
You were at the Manhattan last night, I believe.

PRINCESS. Yes! (JARVIS _and_ PRINCESS _look at each other and_ DUKE
_reads from newspaper._)

JARVIS. Why, no---- (_Glancing at trunk._) I was so wrapped up in my
baggage I really didn't have a chance. (_Looks at_ PRINCESS.)

DUKE. "Pistol duel in Manhattan Hotel. Colonel James Marcum, a prominent
and wealthy Kentuckian, nearly met his death at five o'clock this
morning in a pistol duel in his room at the Manhattan Hotel." (_Glancing
down a little further_) "At a late hour the police had no clue to the
identity of his assailant, except the remarkable fact that the person is
still hiding somewhere in the hotel."

JARVIS. (_Interrupting_) He's probably a long way from the hotel by
this time.

DUKE. (_Looking at paper_) They say that he couldn't have gotten out
without being seen.

JARVIS. That's the theory of the police or reporters.

DUKE. What do you think?

JARVIS. He might have escaped in a thousand ways--but that work is
hardly in my line. That belongs to the "Gum-shoes."

DUKE. Gum-shoes?

JARVIS. Yes, ordinary detectives. (_Enter_ NITA.)

NITA. Excuse, Madame----

PRINCESS. No, Nita! Not just yet. I'll call you when I want you.

JARVIS.