Scene: The main room of an Old Spanish tavern, Segura, Spain. Singing and mandolins heard from Wine Room.

At Rise, Maximo, an old discharged Spanish veteran, and Gaspar, a villager, discovered playing cards at table down c. This continues some time. Maximo slaps down cards exultantly, leans back in chair and laughs. Gaspar stares peevishly at cards.

Dolores discovered gazing out of window, d.l. Enter Vardos, old follower of Prince Basillio, c.l., carrying basket, covered by lid or napkin. Seeing Dolores. Spaniard on steps.

Lights full up, amber and white. Blue lights behind in windows, r. and l.

Vardos. Still watching for a signal, Senorita?

Dolores. (Turning to Vardos) Yes, Vardos. Have you any news?

Vardos. Nothing. Here's the basket of food untouched as usual. This is the fifteenth night.

Dolores. Once tonight I thought I saw a light in the tower, Vardos.

Vardos. If you did, Senorita, it was an unblessed flame.

Dolores. You haven't given up hope, have you, Vardos?

Vardos. I gave up hope when the Prince went into the castle. Tonight I waited till an hour past sundown, and twice I called. Once a wail came back to me. It sounded like a sigh of the damned. When I called the second time, something moved in the turret of the keep, like a man waving; and my heart leaped for joy. Then, with a harsh cry, a black, ugly bird flew from the turret straight toward where the sun had set—on my left, mind you, the sinister side, the left, the left! (Castanets heard off stage, left.)

Dolores. Oh, if her Highness were only here.

Vardos. What can she do?

Dolores. She would go straight to the castle, and will Segura have it said that they let her go alone as they did the Prince?

Vardos. God forbid it should come to that. (Gives basket.) Good night, Senorita. (Start for door down r.)

Dolores. Good night—(Crosses c.)—Vardos. You will go again tomorrow night?

Vardos. Yes, Senorita, willingly, until I know it is useless. (Off stage voice: "Bravo, Senorita!") Good night! (Off stage voice: "Bravo, Senorita!" Laughing and clapping of hands. Exit c. Vardos.)

(Exit Maximo, Gaspar and Spaniard, door r. Dolores lifts napkin and looks into basket; crosses and exits d.r. Enter door l.c. Robledo; stands, looks about insolently for a second.)

Robledo. Eh—hey, you, Pedro! (Receiving no answer, he crosses to table l.c., bangs crop on table and shouts again.) Hey, you, Pedro! What's the matter here? Where are you? (Enter Pedro, door r. Seeing Robledo, is immediately scared and anxious to please.)

Pedro. Oh, Senor Robledo!

Robledo. Wake up! What's the matter with you?

Pedro. One thousand pardons, Senor. What can I do for you?

Robledo. My horse is outside; he has had a hard ride. Wash him off, and don't give him any water until he is cool.

Pedro. Yes, Senor, it shall be just as you say. (Starting.)

Robledo. And leave the saddle on. I may want to use him again.

Pedro. Yes, Senor. Yes, Senor. (Starts toward door c. Robledo halts him.)

Robledo. Where is your daughter?

Pedro. I will call her, Senor. (He crosses to door r., calling.) Dolores, Dolores! She will come, Senor. She will come. (Cross to door l.c.)

Robledo. And, Pedro——

Pedro. Yes, Senor——

Robledo. If that rat-infested larder of yours is empty, get it filled before the Duke arrives.

Pedro. The Duke coming here, Senor! When?

Robledo. Tonight! Don't stand and stare. Hurry up and see to my horse.

Pedro. Yes, Senor. Yes, Senor. (Exit door l.c. Dolores entering r.)

Dolores. Yes, Father? (Sees Robledo.) Oh, it's you.

Robledo. (Pause—cross toward her) Well, well! Can't you say you're glad to see me?

Dolores. I can, but I won't. Where's my father?

Robledo. Never mind your father. I want to talk to you.

Dolores. You do? Well, you won't in that tone. (Start to cross left.)

Robledo. (Intercepting her c.) I won't hey?—And why not? You little spit-fire!

Dolores. What do you want to say to me?

Robledo. You little devil! (She starts away; he grasps her wrist.) Come here! (Throws her quickly and easily around stage l., still holding her wrist.) Say, what's come over you these days? You are about as fond of me and as sweet tempered as a tigress. What have I done?

Dolores. It is what you have not done, Don Robledo. For fifteen days your Prince has been in need of you and you have not had the courage to go to him. (Enter Maximo door r. and beckons Gaspar and Villagers up.) Let go my wrist! (Struggling. Maximo, Gaspar and Villagers watch end of scene.) Let go my wrist!

Robledo. Wait a minute! Wait a minute! You can't get away. Do not try. (She strikes him, frees herself and crosses l. to window.) You little cat, I'll trim those claws! (Villagers laugh. Maximo nudges Gaspar.)

Gaspar. Sh! sh! sh! Look out!

Robledo. (To them) Well, what are you laughing at?

Maximo. Why, why—— (Stammering.)

Gaspar. A jest in the wine room, Senor.

Robledo. Huh! Lucky for you! Get out of my way! (Pushes them aside and swaggers through door r.)

Dolores. Gaspar! Maximo! Come here quickly!

Maximo. (Crossing to Dolores) What is it?

Gaspar. What is the matter? (Crossing to Dolores.)

Dolores. A light! A light in the castle!

Gaspar. I thought I saw it a while ago.

Maximo. I don't see it.

Dolores. But I tell you I did see it. (She runs r.c., calling) Father—Father—come quickly.

Pedro. (Entering r.) What is it? What are you looking at? (Cross c.)

Dolores. (l.c., pointing out window) A light—a light in the castle. I saw it!

Pedro. (Going to window) Nombre de Dios. (Maximo and Gaspar back to l.c.)

Dolores. (c. to Gaspar and Maximo) Well, why don't you do something? Are you going to stand there like scared sheep, and let a man, your Prince, signal to you in vain?

Robledo. Who's the little devil tearing to pieces now? (c. cross to Dolores.)

Dolores. You, Don Robledo, sword-fighter, toreador, fire-eater, hero of a hundred duels—you—Don Robledo—coward! (He chucks Dolores under the chin. She throws his hand off.) I asked you to go into the castle and rescue your Prince. I ask you now to answer the signal that I just saw in the tower window. Perhaps your Prince has just crawled to that tower window where he can see our lights. Perhaps he has burned something, a scrap of paper, in the hope that some of you gentlemen would notice it and come to his assistance, but he doesn't know what cowards you are or he wouldn't have wasted his matches. Don Robledo—coward!

Robledo. Coward, never! A fair fight in the open and I'll meet the best man that walks the earth. (Turns to Villagers.) Any two or three! (To table l.)

Dolores. I don't ask you to kill one or two or three of these poor whimpering sheep! I ask you to dare something. (Duke enters c.) I ask you and these gentlemen—(Point to Villagers)—to go to the aid of your Prince—and there isn't a man among you who dares! God, how I could love such a man!

Duke. (Down c., sarcastically to Dolores) A pretty speech, Senorita!

Robledo. (Seeing Duke, removes hat and bows) Your Excellency!

Gaspar. The Duke D'Alva! (Villagers remove hats and bow to Duke.)

Pedro. His Excellency!

Villagers. The Duke, His Excellency, etc.

Duke. Charming sentiments you express for your fellow townsmen, whose healthy common-sense prevents them from rushing to a fool's death. Still, all fools are not dead yet. One of them will be here tonight. And you, Senorita, will doubtless be pleased to look upon him, as he has come all the way from America for the privilege of entering the castle and playing your hero.

Dolores. (To Robledo) And did her Highness have to go all the way to America to find him?

Duke. Yes, he's from America, where all the fools come from. (Everybody laughs but Dolores. To Robledo) A word with you alone, Senor.

(Robledo looks at Gaspar and Maximo. Pedro, scared, motions Villagers off to r. Pedro, Maximo and Villagers exit door r.)

Dolores. Can I get your Excellency anything?

Duke. Don't mind me. I'll look out for myself. Her Highness will be here very soon and will doubtless remain here for the night. I drove ahead to prepare you.

Dolores. Yes, your Excellency! (Bowing—exit door r.)

Duke. (Half sits on table l., watches Dolores off. To Robledo) You've got work before you—Robledo.

Robledo. (Center) I'm ready, Excellency.

Duke. (Rising, across to Robledo) Yes, but this American may be dangerous.

Robledo. In what way?

Duke. Unless he is stopped he will go into that castle tonight—and I look upon you to stop him. He is coming here to solve the mystery and to find the Prince. I shall endeavor to stop him, but if I fail, Robledo, it rests with you.

Robledo. I can assure your Excellency I will convince the American that his presence in the castle tonight is quite unnecessary. Have you any instructions?

Duke. Any way you please, Robledo—means are of no consequence in this world. What I want is results. Only don't underestimate your man. He will shoot, and I think he will shoot quick.

Robledo. Good! (Enter Pedro door r. with tray and bottles and two glasses. Cross and put them on table up c.)

Duke. (Taking coin from pocket) Here, take this and have them drink to my health and that of her Highness! (Robledo bows and exits r.)

Pedro. Is there anything else your Excellency desires?

Duke. Yes, hot water, soap and towels. (Looks at hands.)

Pedro. This way, your Excellency. (Exit Duke and Pedro upstairs and off l.)

Robledo. (Heard off stage r.) To his Gracious Excellency, the Duke D'Alva!

Villagers. (Off stage) The Duke! The Duke! The Duke!

(Enter Dolores r., crossing to window l.)

Robledo. Louder, you beggars, louder, or I'll give you something to yell for!

Villagers. (Much louder) The Duke! The Duke! Long live the Duke! The Duke! etc.

(Lights seen of automobile approaching.)

Dolores. Her Highness! (Calls) Father! Father!

Pedro. (Entering) What is it, Dolores?

Dolores. Quick! Her Highness is here!

Pedro. Her Highness! (He bustles downstairs.) Her Highness! (Calls off r.) Her Highness!

(Villagers enter door r. Enter Princess, Nita and Jose in motor clothes. Princess comes c. Jose door l. Nita left center up stage. Dolores l.c. Pedro right center, c. Villagers in door r., bowing low.)

Pedro. Your Highness does my humble inn great honor—— (Villagers bow.)

Princess. Thank you. (She nods to Villagers, extends her hand to Dolores, who carries it to her lips, curtseying.)

Dolores. Your gracious Highness, we are ill prepared for this great favor. Your exalted cousin gave but short warning of your coming.

Princess. My child, any place to remove the dust of travel will do for the present. Jose, I shall want the car later.

Nita. (l.c.) Your Highness is not thinking of going on to the castle tonight?

Princess. I must have news.

Nita. But you're all worn out. You're all unstrung.

Princess. When Mr. Warren comes, tell him I will be down directly.

Dolores. I will tell the Senor American, your Highness.

Princess. Thank you. (Exit Princess and Nita, Pedro showing them upstairs.)

(Enter Jarvis d.c.; followed by Rusty, both carrying suitcases. Dolores bows. Rusty comes to Dolores. Jarvis l.c. Rusty crosses Jarvis to l. Dolores returns bow.)

Dolores. Gentlemen—a man!

Jarvis. Rusty, we're discovered! Did you by any chance address me, Senorita?

Dolores. I called the attention of these valiant gentlemen of Segura to the only man who dares to enter the castle.

Jarvis. How did you know?

Dolores. All Segura knows by this time.

(Enter Robledo door r., pushing through Villagers; Dolores tries to stop him; he pushes her aside, swaggering toward Jarvis.)

Robledo. So you're the brave American, Senor?

Jarvis. I'm an American. (Turning to Rusty on l.) Here's another one. (Rusty salutes.) We're both Americans.

Robledo. And you both want to die? (Rusty makes wry face and big eyes.)

Jarvis. (l.c.) Well, I'm not really anxious about it, Senor.

Robledo. Better keep out of the castle, then.

Jarvis. Oh, you mean that ghost? Oh, I'm not afraid of a little thing like that, Senor.

Robledo. No? (Turns to Dolores c.) Well, Senorita, we gentlemen of Segura will drink to your American. (To Jarvis) The maddest fool that ever came to Spain! (Robledo crosses to Dolores, chucks her under chin, laughing. Dolores throws his hand off; motions Villagers off, and exits after them. Jarvis and Rusty watch them off.)

Rusty. He's a nice man.

Jarvis. Pile the bags up there, Rusty. (Put bags on table l.)

Rusty. Yas, sir.

Jarvis. Looks like we were in for a warm reception.

Rusty. Yas, sir, 'tis a trifle warm. (Crosses below table l., back to audience.)

Dolores. Pardon, Senor. Her Highness wishes me to tell you that she will be down directly.

Jarvis. Thank you, Senorita, and who, may I ask, was the cheerful individual that flattered me with such a toast?

Dolores. (At c., looking after Robledo—crosses to Jarvis) Don Robledo, Senor.

Jarvis. Don Robledo—sounds dangerous, but doesn't mean much to me.

Dolores. It may mean much before you reach the castle. Let me tell you something. Quick, your hand, Senor! No, the other one. (Grasps his hand.) I'll pretend to read your palm. Every one of those breaks in your life-line means a moment when you stood face to face with death, and yet, see those little squares of protection around each break! Senor American, there is one break which you have not yet reached, and the protecting square is not perfect like the others.

Jarvis. I reckon that square will take care of itself when the time comes.

Dolores. But the time is now, Senor.

Jarvis. So—and are the senorita's eyes so sharp that she can tell the day and the hour?

Dolores. Not my eyes, Senor American, but my ears. (Duke comes downstairs.) In all my experience I have seen but one hand like yours—it speaks of danger, and that hand belongs to Don Robledo.

Duke. (Still on stairs) Well, Mr. Warren!

Dolores. Pardon, Senor! (Curtsies to Jarvis and steps back from him.)

Jarvis. Good-bye, Senorita. Many thanks for your occult wisdom. I'll take good care of that little square. (Dolores crosses, bows to Duke, exits r., closing door.)

The Ghost Breaker See Page 46