de_).

Who's this?

[EVERSMANN _looks the_ PRINCE _over from head to foot, moves forward a
few paces, then halts again_.]

PRINCE (_aside_).

Can any one have seen me?

EVERSMANN (_goes to the door, halts again, looks at the_ PRINCE
_impudently_).

PRINCE.

Why are you looking at me, sirrah? I am the Prince Hereditary of
Baireuth.

EVERSMANN (_is quite indifferent, comes down a few steps, bows very
slightly_).

His Majesty is coming in from the parade, but does not grant audiences
in this room.

PRINCE.

I thank you for the information, my good man.

EVERSMANN.

Don't mention it, pray.

PRINCE.

And who are you?

EVERSMANN. I? [_There is along pause_.]

I am Eversmann. [_He goes out into the_ QUEEN's _room_.]

PRINCE.

Eversmann? The Minister of Finance or the Head Steward, I wonder? He
betrays parsimony in every shred of his garments. [_Drums and the sound
of presented arms is heard back_ _of the rear entrance_.] The King is
coming. The King? Why should I feel so timid, so oppressed, all of a
sudden? Does my courage fail me because I am about to confront this
curiosity of his century? I'd rather observe him from the side at first.

[_He draws back and stands close by the door to the left_.]

SCENE VII

_A loud knocking, as with a cane, is heard at the centre door_.

PRINCE.

Come in.

KING (_outside_).

Eversmann!

PRINCE.

Now, what's that?

KING (_still without, beats the door loudly with his cane_).

Eversmann!

PRINCE.

Surely this castle is haunted!

[_He slips into the door at the right_.]

KING (_knocking again, still outside_).

Eversmann! Doesn't the fellow hear?

EVERSMANN (_coming in hurriedly_).

The door is open, Your Majesty. [_Goes to centre door, opens it_.]

PRINCE (_looking in at his door_).

Your Majesty? Is that the King?

KING (_in corridor but not yet visible_).

Eversmann, have you forgotten that this is the day for revising the
books?

EVERSMANN.

No, indeed, Your Majesty. I was occupied in balancing the books of Her
Majesty the Queen.

QUEEN (_comes out from her door, listens timidly_).

Was that the King's voice?

KING (_outside_).

Eversmann, tell the castellan that eleven o'clock is closing hour for my
wife's apartment, and that, if I see a light again in her rooms until
after midnight, I will come over myself at the stroke of twelve to
search into every corner and to discover what political plot is brewing
there. Y