The Templeton Teapot Part 4

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._