Dennis (calling, L.). Hallo, you, this way. (Enter Harry and Herbert, L.) The doctor will see you in a jiffy. (Exit, L.)
Herbert. So, Harry, you have at last followed the fashion and been caught by the advertisement of a quack?
Harry. Not caught, as you imagine. The fact is, Herbert, I want something novel for my new play, and hearing this fellow pretends to be an astrologer, I want to know what he can tell me through the medium of the stars.
Herbert. Stars? I should think you were pretty well posted regarding them. By the way, what is the plot of your new piece?
Harry. About as usual. A man who possesses a secret, another who would go through fire and water to find it out.
Herbert. Blood and thunder school?
Harry. Rather. But my villain,—he’s a character,—he does the murder admirably.
Herbert. Murder! (Enter Wiggins, R.)
Wiggins. Murder! (Starts back and conceals himself, R.)
Harry. Listen. (In melodramatic style recites.) “He possesses the secret by which I might obtain gold! gold! gold! He keeps me from that secret. But I have him in my power. I am now beneath his roof. I know all the secret windings of the various passages, and at the dread hour of midnight I will steal to his apartment, and with my dagger over his head will shout in his ear, Blood! Blood! Blood! and bury it in his heart. Then the secret is mine and mine alone.” Sh! (Enter Wiggins, R.) The doctor.