o
hall and front door.

TIME.--Evening in August.

ALBERT SHAWN is reclining on the sofa, fully dressed, but obviously
ill: an overcoat has been drawn over his legs. A conspicuous object is a
magnificent light purple dressing-gown thrown across a chair.

Door bangs off. Enter ILAM CARVE in his shirt sleeves, hurriedly.
SHAWN feebly tries to get up.

CARVE. Now, don't move. Remember you're a sick man, and forget you're a
servant.

(SHAWN shivers. CARVE, about to put on his dressing-gown,
changes his mind, and wraps it round SHAWN as well as he can.
CARVE then puts on an oldish coat.)

SHAWN. (Feebly.) You've been very quick, sir.

CARVE. I found a red lamp only three doors off. He'll be along in half a
minute.

SHAWN. Did you explain what it was, sir?

CARVE. (Genially.) How could I explain what it was, you fool, when I
don't know? I simply asked to see the doctor, and I told him there was a
fellow-creature suffering at No. 126, and would he come at once. "126?"
he said, "126 has been shut up for years."

SHAWN. (Trying to smile.) What did you say, sir?

CARVE. I said (articulating with clearness) a hundred and
twenty-six--and ran off. Then he yelled out after me that he'd come
instantly.... I say, Shawn, we're discovered. I could tell that from his
sudden change of tone. I bet the entire street knows that the celebrated
Me has arrived at last. I feel like a criminal already, dashed if I
don't! I wish we'd gone to a hotel now. (Walks about.) I say, did you
make up the bed?

SHAWN. I was just doing it, sir.

CARVE. But what about sheets and so on?

SHAWN. I bought some this morning, ready hemmed, sir--with those and the
travelling rug----

CARVE. Well, don't you think you could work your passage out to the bed?
With my help?

SHAWN. Me in your bed, sir!

CARVE. (Genially bullying.) Keep on in that tone--and I'll give you
the sack on the spot. Now then. Try--before the doctor comes. (Bell
rings.)

SHAWN. The bell, sir--excuse me.

CARVE. Confound----

(Exit CARVE.)

(SHAWN coughs and puts a handkerchief to his mouth. CARVE
returns immediately with DR. PASCOE.)

PASCOE. (Glancing round quickly.) This the patient? (Goes to SHAWN,
and looks at him. Then, taking a clinical thermometer from his pocket
and wiping it; with marked respect.) Allow me to put this under your
tongue for half a minute. (Having done so, he takes SHAWN'S wrist
and, looking at his watch, count