Alleyn had a word with both of them. Fox and Bailey stood offstage by the first and third left entrances. Two other men went to the O.P. Thompson and a third man disappeared down the dressing-room passage.

"Right," said Alleyn, and walked down to the float.

"Call the last act, please," said Simpson to Sergeant Watkins.

Watkins went off down the dressing-room passage. His voice could be heard on the stage.

"Last act, please, last act, please!"

Miss Max, who dressed in a room round the elbow of the passage, came out first, walked on to the stage, sat in the chair on the O.P. side, and took out her knitting. She was followed by Janet Emerald who went straight to the upstage window.

"Stay there as if you were speaking to Surbonadier," said Alleyn quietly. "Now, Mr. Simpson."

Simpson came out of the prompt box and went to the desk. He mimed the business of putting something in the top drawer.

"Now, Miss Emerald," said Alleyn.

"I don't remember—what I said."

"About the cartridges, dear," said Miss Max quietly.

"I—I'm always afraid you'll forget those cartridges," said Janet Emerald.

"Trust little Georgie," said Simpson.

"George, come over here. I want to show you something. This mat is bad where it is, dear."

"What's wrong with the mat, Susan?"

"It jams the door and spoils my eggzit."

"Is that better?"

"That's where it should be. Come here and let me measure my scarf."

"Now, Miss Emerald, you spoke to Surbonadier."

"I—I can't. It's too horrible."

"Go across to the left and meet Mr. Simpson. You say: 'Arthur's tight, George, and I'm nervous.' "

"Arthur's tight, George, and I'm nervous."

"He's giving a damn' good show, anyway."

"Now you whisper: 'I'd like to kill him,' and stand with your hands on the desk."

"I'd—like—to kill——"

"All clear, please."

Janet Emerald stood up and faced upstage.

"House lights. Stand by, please. Black-out."

Alleyn blew a long blast on his whistle. Simpson with the book in his hand went on to the stage. Alleyn stood in the wings, where he could see the stage and dressing-room passage. Melville, who had stood near the prompt box, went tiptoe down the passage and round the elbow. Miss Vaughan came out of her room, leaving the door open; she knocked on Gardener's door. He called: "Come in," and she entered, closing the door behind her. It reopened to let out old Beadle. He stood outside, produced a cigarette and held it, unlit, in his mouth. Trixie Beadle came out of the star-room and joined him. They moved into the elbow of the passage.