Beauperthuis (Limping perceptibly).—Devil take your dark stairway!
Fadinard.—The lights go out at twelve.
Émile (Coming out of the Post, sotto voce).—Occupy his attention! (Goes upstage; climbs up, and begins to saw the wire with his sword.)
Beauperthuis.—But, Sir, I'm a big booby!
Fadinard.—Yes, Sir. (Raises his umbrella, and jumps in an attempt to dislodge the hat; and as he still holds the arm of Beauperthuis, this motion makes him jump also, in spite of himself.)
Beauperthuis.—You made her escape!
Fadinard.—For what do you take me? (Jumps again.)
Beauperthuis.—Why are you jumping, Sir?
Fadinard.—Cramps. It's my stomach.
Beauperthuis.—I'll inquire of this guardsman.
Anais (Aside).—Oh!
Fadinard.—No; it's useless. (Aside, looking at Emile.) Hurrah! He's sawing the wire . . . (Aloud.) He will not answer. It is forbidden to speak while on duty . . .
Beauperthuis (Trying to release himself).—Let me go, then!
Fadinard.—No, you'll get wet . . . (Covers him again, and jumps.)
Tardiveau (Coming in at the right, and astonished at seeing a sentry on duty).— A sentinel, in my place!
Anais.—Pass on!
Beauperthuis.—Ah, that voice!
Fadinard (Putting the umbrella in front of Beauperthuis).—A conscript!
Tardiveau (Noticing the hat).—Ah, what is this?
Beauperthuis.—What? (Pushes aside the umbrella and raises his head.)
Fadinard.—Nothing . . .
(Crams Beauperthuis' hat down over his eyes, at the same moment the wire is cut; and the lamp falls.)
Beauperthuis.—Ah!
Tardiveau.—To arms! To arms!
Fadinard (To Beauperthuis).—Don't mind it! It's only the lamp falling . . . (Guardsmen rush out of the post. People appear in the windows with lamps. Fadinard picks up the hat and gives it to Anais, who puts it upon her head. By this time Beauperthuis has succeeded in getting his hat from over his eyes.)
Beauperthuis.—But, once more, gentlemen . . .
