THE FOUR. Yes, Mr. Dominic.
DOMINIC. See to it that I have no fault to find. That will do.
(They go out. He looks at his watch and then follows the men. He is hardly out of the room when a bell rings. He returns slowly, draws the curtain from the front door, and opens it. LEONARD, in fur-coat and cap, is seen standing outside. He is a big, well-made man of about thirty-five—dark, with a little black tooth-brush moustache. When the door opens he gets his first sight of the interior of the room, and is evidently taken by surprise.)
LEONARD. Oh—er—is this—er—an hotel? My chauffeur said—we’ve had an accident, been delayed on the way—he said that we could put up here. (He turns round and calls) Here, Saunders! This can’t be the place. (To DOMINIC) Perhaps you could tell me——
ANNE (from outside, invisible). Saunders has gone, Leonard.
LEONARD (turning round). Gone! What the devil—— (He plunges into the darkness.)
DOMINIC. Saunders was perfectly correct, my lord. This is a sort of hotel.
[97]ANNE (getting out of the car, but still invisible). He went off as soon as you got out of the car. Leonard, are you sure——?
(She comes into the light; he is holding her arm. Pretty she is, to the first sight; but what holds you is the mystery of her youthfulness; her aloof, untouched innocence; her grave coolness; her—well, we shall let her speak for herself. Just at present she is a little upset by the happenings of the night.)
DOMINIC. Saunders was perfectly correct, my lord. This is a sort of hotel.