GENTLEMAN (bewildered). A scar on my forehead? (feeling his forehead). But may I ask what has suggested to you all these notions about thieves and robbers?
LADY. Why, you’ve been talking about nothing else for the last quarter of an hour!
GENTLEMAN (smiling). I beg your pardon. You certainly first began the conversation about these—gentlemen.
LADY. Because you said that you associated with them.
GENTLEMAN. Naturally, as an inspector of prisons.
LADY. Then those portraits—in your possession?
GENTLEMAN. Were taken merely to forward the ends of justice!
LADY (with a sigh of relief). I understand it all! I can laugh at my folly now, which entirely arose from this silly newspaper paragraph—the sole cause of all my absurd terror.
GENTLEMAN. What newspaper paragraph?
LADY. Read this, sir (giving him newspaper).