Norman McKinnel

“ Persome (without) Who's there? Who's there I say? Am I to get no sleep to-night. Who's there I say? (Enter r. Persomé I'm sure I heard the door shut (looking round) No one here? (knocks at the Bishop's door l. Sees the candlesticks have gone) The candlesticks, the candlesticks. They are gone. Brother, brother, come out. Fire, murder, thieves!
(Enter Bishop, l.)
Bishop. What is it, dear, what is it? What is the matter?
Persomé. He has gone. The man with the hungry eyes has gone, and he has taken your candlesticks. ”

“ Bishop. Stay, my son, you have forgotten your property (giving him the candlesticks) .
Convict. You mean me—you want me to take them?
Bishop. Please, they may help you.
(The Convict takes the candlesticks in absolute amazement.)
Bishop. And, my son. There is a path through the woods at the back of this cottage which leads to Paris, it is a very lonely path, and I have noticed that my good friends the gendarmes do not like lonely paths at night. It is curious.
Convict. Ah, thanks, thanks, Monseigneur. I—I (he sobs) Ah! ”

“ The Sergeant and the Bishop look at each other.)
Sergeant. I—I—Humph! (to his men) Loose the prisoner (they do so) Right about turn, quick march! (Exit Sergeant and Gendarmes. A long pause.)
Convict (very slowly as if in a dream) You told them you had given me the candlesticks, given me them. By God!
Persomé (shaking her fist at him and hugging the candlesticks to her breast) Oh you scoundrel, you pitiful scoundrel, you come here and are fed, and warmed, and and you thieve; steal from your benefactor. Oh you blackguard.
Bishop. Persomé, you are overwrought. Go to your room.
Persomé. ”

“ The longest-living author of this work died in 1932, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 90 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works. ”