“He says,” he translated, “you must recite something.” St. Clair exclaimed incredulously: “Recite!” he gasped.
Than his indignant protest nothing could have been more appropriate.
“Wants to see you act out,” insisted Billy. “Go on,” he begged; “humor him. Do what he wants or he’ll put us in jail!”
“But what shall I——”
“He wants the curse of Rome from Richelieu,” explained Billy. “He knows it in French and he wants you to recite it in English. Do you know it?”
The actor smiled haughtily.
“I WROTE it,” he protested. “Richelieu’s my middle name. I’ve done it in stock.”
“Then do it now!” commanded Billy. “Give it to him hot. I’m Julie de Mortemar. He’s the villain Barabas. Begin where Barabas hands you the cue, ‘The country is the king!’”
In embarrassment St. Clair coughed tentatively.
“Whoever heard of Cardinal Richelieu,” he protested, “in a navy uniform?”