FRAU V. BROOK. Try to, for my sake. [Aloud.] Does Your Highness command——
THE PRINCESS. [Smiling and sighing.] Yes, I command.
[The stage remains empty for several moments. Then Strübel is heard trying the latch of the back door.
STRÜBEL'S VOICE. Hullo! What's up! Why is this locked all of a sudden? Rosa! Open up! I've got to look through the telescope! Rosa! Won't you? Oh, well, I know how to help myself. [He is seen walking outside of the glass-covered veranda. Then he puts his head through the open window at the right.] Not a soul inside? [Climbs over.] Well, here we are. What on earth has happened to these people? [Unlocks the back door and looks out.] Everything deserted. Well, it's all the same to me. [Locks the door again.] But let's find out right away what the carriage has to do with the case.
[Prepares to look through the telescope. The Princess enters cautiously through the door at the left, her hat in her hand. Without noticing Strübel, who is standing motionless before the telescope, she goes hurriedly to the door at the back and unlocks it.
STRÜBEL. [Startled at the sound of the key, turns around.] Why, how do you do? [The Princess, not venturing to move, glances back at the door through which she has entered.] Wouldn't you like to look through the telescope a while? Please do. [The Princess, undecided as to whether or not she should answer him, takes a few steps back toward the door at the left.] Why are you going away? I won't do anything to you.
THE PRINCESS. [Reassured.] Oh, I'm not going away.
STRÜBEL. That's right. But—where have you come from? The door was locked. Surely you didn't climb through the window as I did?
THE PRINCESS. [Frightened.] What? You came—through the window?——