dear old man told
you his plans never failed, eh? God rest his soul! [_Laughing
indulgently._] Ha! Ha! Ha!

PETER. Ha! Ha! Ha!

FREDERIK. [_Echoing_ HICKS' _words._] What would he say if he knew? What
could he say? Everything must change.

_A far-away rumble of thunder is heard--the lightning flickers at the
window and a flash is seen on the telephone which tinkles and responds as
though from the electric shock. Exclaiming "Ugh,"_ FREDERIK _drops the
receiver--which hangs down._

PETER. [_The storm passes as he speaks into the receiver without touching
the telephone._] Good-evening, my friend. We shall soon meet--face to
face. You won't be able to carry this matter through.... [_Looking into
space as though he could see the future._] You're not well and you're
going out to supper to-night; ... you will eat something that will cause
you to pass over.... I shall see you to-morrow.... A happy crossing!

FREDERIK. [_Picks up the receiver._] Hello?... You don't feel well, you
say? [_Then echoing the purport of_ HICKS' _answer._] I see.... Your
lawyer can attend to everything to-night without you. Very well. It's
entirely a question of money, Mr. Hicks. Send your lawyer to the Grimm
Manor Hotel. I'll arrange at once for a room. Good-bye. [_Hangs up the
receiver._] That's off my mind. [_He lights a fresh cigarette--his face
expressing the satisfaction he feels in the prospect of a perfectly idle
future._ PETER _looks at him as though to say: "And that's the boy whom I
loved and trusted!"_ FREDERIK _gets his hat, throws his coat over his arm,
and hastens out._

PETER. [_Turns and faces the door leading into the next room, as though he
could feel the presence of some one waiting there._] Yes ... I am still
in the house. Come in ... come in ... [_He repeats the signal of the first
act._] Ou--oo. [_The door opens slowly--and_ CATHERINE _enters as though
at_ PETER'S _call. She looks about her, not understanding. He holds out
his arms to her._ CATHERINE _walks slowly towards him. He takes her in his
arms, but she does not respond. She does not know that she is being
held._] There! There!... Don't worry.... It's all right.... We'll arrange
things very differently. I've come back to change all my plans. [_She
moves away a step--just out of his embrace. He tries to call her back._]
Katie! ... Can't I make my presence known to _you_? Katie! Can't my love
for you outlive _me_? Isn't it here in the home?... Don't cry. [_She moves