Fred. But you know when it comes to——
Sel. (rising and crossing to him). I apologize! There! I don’t know what they did, but whatever it was I profess the utmost regret that it should have occurred—this is no time for us to part, we are each seated on a volcano—(Whispering.) She’s written to me!
Fred. Who?
Sel. The girl I met last night! She said she wanted to see me at once—but forgot to put her number in Bond street in her letter, so I have been trotting up and down for three hours inquiring for her by her Christian name, as I know no other. I want to buy her silence! That’s volcano number one!
Fred. What’s the other Vesuvius?
Sel. “Tompkins” has been here! You know Tompkins, the duelist.
Fred. No!
Sel. I offered to apologize to him, too, but he was one of those bland but bloodthirsty fellows who thirst for human gore—he wouldn’t hear of it—I got his address, I flew to humiliate myself on his doorstep, but he had given me a false one.
Fred. A false doorstep!
Sel. No, a false address—but we must find the real one—go on, dear boy, go on with your search. (Handing Directory and hat.) Take your implements! Stanley discovered Livingstone, why shouldn’t Bellamy discover Tompkins?