My lord, give me the Queen's signature in blank.

FABIANI.

Accursed Jew, I will have to yield. [_Draws a paper from his pocket._

THE MAN.

Show me the Queen's signature in blank.

FABIANI.

Show me Talbot's papers.

THE MAN.

Afterward.

[_They go close to the lantern. Fabiani stands behind the Jew, and with his left hand holds the paper under the Jew's eyes; he examines it. The Man reads._

"We, Mary, Queen--" It is well. You see, my lord, I am like you. I have calculated upon everything. I have foreseen everything.

FABIANI (_draws a dagger with his right hand and plunges it into the Jew's throat_).

Except this!

THE MAN.

Oh, traitor! Help!

[_He falls. In falling he throws a sealed packet into the darkness behind him; Fabiani does not perceive it._

FABIANI (_leaning over the body_).

Faith! I believe he is dead. Quick, the papers. [_He searches the Jew._] What! he hasn't got them. He has nothing--nothing at all about him! Not a paper! He was lying, the old wretch! He deceived me: he wanted to rob me. Is it possible, you accursed Jew! No, he has nothing. That is clear. I have killed him for nothing. They are all alike, these Jews. To lie and steal, that is all they can do. Come, let us get rid of this corpse; I can't leave it here at the door.

[_Goes up stage._] I will see if the boatman is still there; he can help me throw it into the Thames.

[_He descends, and disappears behind the parapet._

GILBERT (_enters from the opposite side_).

I thought I heard a cry!

[_He perceives the body stretched upon the ground under the lantern._

Some one has been a.s.sa.s.sinated! The beggar!

THE MAN (_lifting himself half-way up_).

Ah, you come too late, Gilbert.

[_He points to the place where he threw the packet._

Take them. They are the papers which prove that Jane, your betrothed, is daughter and heiress of the last Lord Talbot. My a.s.sa.s.sin is Lord Clanbra.s.sil, the Queen's favorite. Oh, I suffocate! Gilbert, avenge me! Avenge yourself! [_He dies._

GILBERT.

Dead! Avenge myself? What does he mean? Jane, daughter to Lord Talbot? Lord Clanbra.s.sil! The Queen's favorite? Oh, I am lost in wonder! [_Shaking the body._] Speak! One word more! He is indeed dead!

SCENE VII

Gilbert, Fabiani

FABIANI (_returning_).

Who goes there?

GILBERT.

A man has been a.s.sa.s.sinated.

FABIANI.

No, a Jew.

GILBERT.

Who killed him?

FABIANI.

Faith! You or I.

GILBERT.

Sir?

FABIANI.

No witnesses. A corpse on the ground. Two men beside it. Which is the a.s.sa.s.sin? There is nothing to prove it is one rather than the other--I rather than you.

GILBERT.

Miserable man! You are the a.s.sa.s.sin!

FABIANI.

Well, yes! To be frank, I am. What of it?