Tomp. But where is it? Where! What is your explanation?
Dunn. I haven’t got one! (falling into chair R.)
Corn. Absurd! Make a break at something. (crossing up stage and down and sits on table)
Tomp. (C.) Stupendous misfortune! You can have no conception of the awfulness of your avowal—you cannot realize my loss.
Dunn. I can realize the loss it is to our Company!
Tomp. What is filthy lucre? No money on earth can compensate me for its destruction.
Car. (L. C.) Be calm, Mr. Tompkins!
Hel. (R. of table L. C.) It will be found no doubt.
Tomp. Calm! With such a treasure gone! Ah! You know nothing of the halo of romance that surrounds that figure. It was no ordinary piece of statuary. There is a legend that no mortal hand carved or chiselled it. It is believed to be the actual petrifaction of the identical once living Niobe, wife of Amphion, King of Thebes.
Dunn. (jumping up) What! Niobe herself! And you believe the story? You do!