ALLEN. Good God! Thee’ve given the signal to call him in! Quick! (Luke rushes in terror to door at back.) Not that way. (Luke bewildered and helpless with fright, turns wildly about like a hunted thing not knowing which way to fly. Is about to make for other door, when handle of door at back is heard to move.) Too late—keep where thee art.
LUKE. (Clinging to Allen’s arm.) Save me! (Allen thrusts him behind door at c. as it opens and enter Hann. and Purt. following. Allen goes r. Hann. comes down and stands c. Purt. remains near door and is about to close it.)
ALLEN. (Who has moved down to r.c., nervously, with effort to appear calm and careless.) Leave the door, Mr. Purtwee, leave the door.
PURT. Wide open? (Surprised.)
ALLEN. Yes, yes, it’s fearfully hot in here! (Wiping his brow.)
HANN. (Looking at him suspiciously.) I don’t find it so. I think we’ll have it shut over this job. (Turns to door.)
ALLEN. (Eagerly.) No, no! Don’t shut it—don’t shut it.
HANN. Why not? (Looks hard at Allen.)
ALLEN. Why—why—don’t I tell you. It’s so close—so—
(Hann. crosses, goes to door c. and locks it, then returns, eyeing Allen sternly. Luke has crept behind the curtain, which hangs like a pillar by the side of the door. Allen watches with intense suspense.)