Beldon. Certainly.
Malcolm. Well, that's settled. A majority of three to one ought to stop any ghost. Will that arrangement suit you, George?
George. Thank you, sir. And if you gentlemen would kindly come down to the bar with me while I put out the gas. I could never be sufficiently grateful, and when (at door) we come back we can let the Doctor out at the front door. Will that do, sir?
Leek. All right; I'll be getting my coat on. (George gets to door. They exit at door L. Leek picks up his coat off chair up L., puts it on and then turns up trousers. Footsteps heard in flies, then goes to the window R., pulls curtain aside and opens the shutters of the window nearest the fire. A flood of moonlight streams in from R. Clock strikes twelve.) By Jove, what a lovely night. That poor devil did get a fright, and no mistake. (Crossing down to fireplace for his cap which is on the mantelpiece. Malcolm, Beldon and George return—the door closes after them.) Well, no sign of it, eh?
Malcolm. No, we've seen nothing this time. Here, give me the candle, George, while you turn out the gas.
Leek. All right, George, I'll put this one out. (Turns out gas below fire.)
(Malcolm and Beldon are up at sideboard, George having put the other gas out, goes up to them and is just lighting the candles for them. The Doctor is filling his pipe at mantel-shelf, and stooping to get a light with a paper spill. Leek whistles and lights spill. The handle of the door is heard moving. Omnes stand motionless—Malcolm and Beldon very frightened. They all watch. The room is lit only by the firelight which is very much fainter than it was at the beginning of the play, by the candle which George holds, and by the flood of moonlight from the window.)
(The door slowly opens, a hand is seen, then a figure appears in dark breeches, white stockings, buckled shoes, white shirt, very neat in every detail, with a long white or spotted handkerchief tied round the neck, the long end hanging down in front. The face cadaverous, with sunken eyes and a leering smile, and close cropped red hair. The figure blinks at the candle, then slowly raises its hands and unties the handkerchief, its head falls on to one shoulder, it holds handkerchief out at arm's length and advances towards Malcolm.)
| Table | |||||
| George | |||||
| Leek | Beldon | Malcolm | |||
| Chair | |||||
| Fire | Hirst | ||||
(Just as the figure reaches the place where the moonbeams touch the floor, Leek fires—he has very quietly and unobtrusively drawn his revolver. George drops the candle and the figure, writhing, drops to the floor. It coughs once a choking cough. Malcolm goes slowly forward, touches it with his foot, and kneels by figure, lifts figure up, gazes at it, and pulls the red wig off, discovering Hirst. Malcolm gasps out "Doctor." Leek places the revolver on chair, kneels behind Hirst. Malcolm is L. C., kneeling. At this moment Somers enters very brightly with lighted candle.)