MR. T. This affair is most awkward.
MRS. T. I have a feeling that Hilda may not have gone; I'm going to search the house.
[_Exit, L._
MR. T. Good heavens, Sue, we've forgotten the burglar!
SUE. He can't get away; you must telephone----
MR. T. (_flying around_). Where is the telephone book?
SUE. I'll find it.
[_Exit, L. MR. T. follows._
_Enter HILDA softly, R. Looks about cautiously. Sees teapot. Takes it and shakes it indignantly._
HILDA (_to herself_). There, I knew it! He didn't take it. He hasn't even come out. (_Examines DEAN'S suit-case and overcoat._) He's in there now telling father and making fun of me. The wretch! (_Stamps her foot._) I might have known that I couldn't trust him. I'll go to New York now anyway. (_Moves toward R., then comes back._) No, I'll stay out in the summer-house and confront him with proof of his perfidy. (_Sees basket._) I'll dispose of this teapot too. (_Hides teapot in basket of old clothes._) Mrs. McLaffety may find it useful in making the morning coffee. I'll never forgive Mr. Dean, never, never!
[_Exit, hurriedly, R._
_Enter MR. T., L., with telephone book, followed by SUE and MRS. T., the latter in tears._
MRS. T. She's really gone!
MR. T. (_searching the telephone book_). Why, I can't find----
_Enter MR. and MRS. B., R._
MRS. B. Why, of all things, Eric hasn't come. We can't understand it.
(_Looks about._) What is the matter?
MRS. T. (_embracing MRS. B._). Oh, f.a.n.n.y, Hilda has gone to New York----
MR. T. There's a burglar in the silver-closet----
(_Drops telephone book._)
MRS. B. Mercy on us! A burglar!
MR. B. What does this mean?
MR. T. (_in great agitation_). A burglar was stealing the teapot, and I locked him in the silver-closet; and Hilda has run away to Cousin Anne's!
MR. B. (_irritably_). Somebody explain. What has a burglar to do with Hilda?
MR. T. He knew the value of the teapot. It belonged to the Duke of----
MRS. T. Hilda was unhappy; she wanted to be like other girls. It's all her father's fault. (_Bursts into tears._)
MRS. B. Do I understand that there is a burglar in this house?
MR. T. There is----
(_MRS. B. screams._)
SUE. Calm yourself, f.a.n.n.y. My brother, with great presence of mind, grappled with the thief, relieved him of his booty, and has locked him in the silver-closet.
MR. B. Bravo! Have you sent for the police?
MR. T. (_picking up telephone book_). I was about to telephone, when we found Hilda's note----
MRS. T. She's tired of antiques----
MR. T. I have burdened the poor child too much with my hobbies.
SUE. She's gone to Cousin Anne's.
MRS. T. And Professor Gates has gone after her.
MR. B. (_importantly_). Come, I think we'd better attend to that burglar; he may escape.
MRS. B. (_hysterically_). It's the same one that set off our burglar alarm. Leon said that the cat did it.
MR. B. That may be. (_Seizes telephone book._) I'll 'phone myself.
(_Starts for door R.; stumbles over DEAN'S suit-case._) What is this?
MR. T. The burglar's suit-case. Doubtless it is full of booty.
MRS. B. (_examining suit-case_). The burglar's? It's my brother's suit-case. See, the name is on the tag, "Eric Dean." (_All look at suit-case._) And his overcoat! Oh, my poor brother has been robbed and murdered! (_Drops into a chair._)
MR. B. Bring along your revolver, Templeton; I'm going to take a look at that burglar.
MRS. T. (_trying to restrain MR. T._). You'll both be murdered!
MR. T. (_pompously_). I'm not afraid.
(_Exeunt MR. B. and MR. T., L. SUE listens at the door._)
MRS. B. They should not open that closet door until the police come.
MRS. T. (_putting her hands over her ears_). There'll be firing in a minute.
SUE. They are bringing him in here!
(_MRS. B. screams. All retreat to farther side of room._)
_Enter MR. T., MR. B., and DEAN, L._