[Starts to hammer vigorously, humming “Dolly Gray.”]

HORACE.  There is no profit in continuing the discussion.

[Turns on his heel, but immediately turns again toward PIKE, who is apparently preoccupied.]

And I warn you we shall act without paying the slightest attention to you. [Triumphantly.] What have you to say to that, sir?

[PIKE’S answer is conveyed by the motor-horn, which says:  “Honk!  Honk!” HORACE throws up his hands despairingly.  PIKE’S voice becomes audible in the last words of the song:  “Good-bye, Dolly Gray.”]

[Enter LADY CREECH and ALMERIC through the gates.]

HORACE [meeting them].  The fellow is hopeless.

LADY CREECH [not hearing, and speaking from habit, automatically]. 
Dreadful person!

[PIKE continues his work, paying no attention.]

ALMERIC [to HORACE].  Better let him alone till the Governor’s had time to think a bit.  Governor’s clever.  He’ll fetch the beggar about somehow.

LADY CREECH [with a Parthian glance at the unconscious PIKE].  I sha’h’t stop in the creature’s presence—­I shall go up to my room for my forty winks.

[Exit into the hotel.]

ALMERIC [as she goes out].  Day-day, aunt! [To HORACE.] I’m off to look at that pup again.  You trust the Governor.

HORACE [as ALMERIC goes].  I do, I do.  It is insufferable, but I’ll wait.

[Exit into the garden.]

[PIKE stands for a moment, contemplating the car in some despondency, still humming or whistling.]

[LADY CREECH, after a few moments, appears at a window in the upper story of the hotel.  Unseen by PIKE, she pulls up the awning for a better view, and drops lace curtains inside of window so as to screen herself from observation.  Sits watching.]

[Immediately upon HORACE’S exit MARIANO, flustered, enters hurriedly from the hotel, goes to the gates, and fumbles with the lock.  At the same time VASILI enters from the garden, smoking.]

VASILI.  You make progress, my friend?

PIKE.  Your machine’s like a good many people—­got sand in its gear-box.

VASILI [to MARIANO].  Are you locking us in?

MARIANO [excitedly coming down and showing a big key which he has taken from the lock].  No, Herr von Groellerhagen, I lock some one out—­that bandit who have not been capture.  The carabiniere warn us to close all gates for an hour.  They will have that wicked one soon.  There are two companies. [In a lower tone to VASILI.] Monsieur Ribiere has much fears.

VASILI.  Monsieur Ribiere is sometimes a fool.

MARIANO [in a hoarse whisper].  Monsieur, this convict is a Russian.

[VASILI waves him away somewhat curtly.]

[Exit MARIANO, shaking his head, carrying the key with him.]

PIKE.  Two companies of soldiers!  A town marshal out my way would ‘a’ had him yesterday.

VASILI.  My friend, you are teaching me to respect your country, not by what you brag, but by what you do.