(Pacing about in agitation while Mrs Perkins controls the others by nods and winks.) What’s to be done? An emetic?

MRS PERKINS

You’d better go ’ome an’ say it’s lost.

STRANGER

Unhappy woman! Do you understand that your life is a trifle, a pawn in the game?

MRS PERKINS

Pawn! Yes, an’ y’ can’t get it out without the ticket.

STRANGER

It’s impossible. It can’t be. (He turns on the others.) The truth! Did she swallow it? If she did, she dies.