(Lightning.—Gong.—Cloak falls, Venus has disappeared—she goes through vampire at back. Alphonzo falls over screen. Robbers and Handsaw look on in wonder. Jane fainting. Tableau. Close in. Flats in first grove.)
SCENE II.—Front Scene.—Clouds.
Enter HANDSAW, R.
Hand. Well, I can hardly believe my senses! There was the statue before my very eyes; there were the thieves in the very act of stealing the antique marble before my eyes; there was everything before my eyes, and, blow me, if it didn’t disappear before my eyes. It’s the most mysterious affair I ever came across. I—who have been in the Criminal Investigation Department for over thirty years, and reckoned the finest man for having innocent men and women hanged and transported—done. I’ve been had by some illusion? What shall I do? Shall I resign my position in the force, and go back to tripe dressing? No—no! I’ll have a case ere to-morrow or my name is not Handsaw. Ah, what is that I see? A little boy eating bread and dripping in the open street, before the gaze of the passers-by? Oh, this must be seen into! I should lose all respect for myself as a member of the force if I didn’t lock some poor little innocent little child up for doing nothing. It’s a way we’ve got in the force. Now, then, my bold and massive wretch of three years old, I’m down on you like two ton of bricks!
[Exit.
Enter TWO ROBBERS, R.
First R. What do you think of it, Bill—it vanished?
Second R. Wonderful! Never see anything like it since our tom cat had chickens.
First R. Go on, your tom cat have chickens! What do you take me for? Your tom cat have chickens!