After watching him some seconds, Dunton looked at his watch and said:
"You'll have to hurry. Not much time."
Then he went out, leaving Sargent alone in the dressing room.
Outside the door Havener was standing.
"Is Sargent making up?" asked the stage manager.
Dunton assured him that he was, but Havener continued to stand before the door.
Left alone, Sargent paused and looked around. There was a door in the dressing room that opened into the next room. Sargent walked over and tried it. It opened beneath his hand. He looked into the adjoining room and saw it was empty.
Then Sargent walked back and hastily donned his street clothes. In a hurry he threw his costumes and other property into his trunk, which he closed and locked.
"We'll see!" he muttered—"we'll see if they can force me to play to-night!"