PRINCE
I have said all there is to be said. I am at your disposal for whatever purposes you wish. Good night.
He exits.
Roderick, Captain Galgenstein and Minister Galgenstein.
MINISTER GALGENSTEIN
Was he cheated?
RODERICK
In so far as I can tell these things -- no. I believe the Chevalier won the money fairly.
MINISTER GALGENSTEIN
Hmm-mmmm.
CAPTAIN GALGENSTEIN
What are the Chevalier's intentions?
RODERICK
I am not sure. The Prince told him quite clearly that if he wished to have the money, he would have to fight for it.
MINISTER GALGENSTEIN
A meeting with the Prince of Turbingen is impossible.
RODERICK
The Prince left him only that choice.
The Captain and the Minister walk a few steps away and speak in whispers.
Then they return to Roderick.
MINISTER GALGENSTEIN
Will you be able to return here tomorrow without arousing suspicion?
CHEVALIER
Tell them I intend to demand satisfaction from the Prince.
RODERICK
But they will prevent a meeting at whatever the cost.
CHEVALIER
Have no fear. It will come out well for me.
RODERICK
I believe they will deport you.
CHEVALIER
I have faced that problem before.
RODERICK
But, if they send you away, then what is to become of me?
CHEVALIER
(with a smile)
Make your mind easy, you shall not be left behind, I warrant you. Do take a last look at your barracks, make your mind easy, say a farewell to your friends in Berlin. The dear souls, how they will weep when they hear you are out of the country, and, out of it, you shall go.
RODERICK
But how, sir?
Roderick, Captain Galgenstein and Minister Galgenstein.
MINISTER GALGENSTEIN
The King has determined to send the Chevalier out of the country.
RODERICK
When is he to go?
CAPTAIN GALGENSTEIN
Has he sent the challenge yet?
RODERICK
Not yet, but I believe he intends to.
MINISTER GALGENSTEIN
Then this must be done tomorrow.
RODERICK
What is to be done?
CAPTAIN GALGENSTEIN
You say he drives after breakfast and before dinner. When he comes out to his carriage a couple of gendarmes will mount the box, and the coachman will get his orders to move on.
RODERICK
And his baggage?
CAPTAIN GALGENSTEIN
Oh! That will be sent after him. I have a fancy to look into that red box which contains his papers, you say; and at noon, after parade, shall be at the inn. You will not say a word to any one there regarding the affair, and will wait for me at the Chevalier's rooms until my arrival. We must force that box. You are a clumsy hound, or you would have got the key long ago.
Action as per voice over.
RODERICK (V.O.)
At ten o'clock the next morning, the carriage of the Chevalier de Belle Fast drew up as usual at the door of his hotel, and the Chevalier came down the stairs in his usual stately manner.
Looking around and not finding his servant to open the door.
CHEVALIER
Where is my rascal, Lazlo?
PRUSSIAN OFFICER
(standing by the carriage)
I will let down the steps for your honor.
No sooner does the Chevalier enter than the officer jumps in after him, another mounts the box by the coachman, and the latter begins to drive.
CHEVALIER
Good gracious! What is this?
PRUSSIAN OFFICER
(touching his hat)
You are going to drive to the frontier.
CHEVALIER
It is shameful -- infamous! I insist upon being put down at the Austrian ambassador's house.
PRUSSIAN OFFICER
I have orders to gag your honor if you cry out, and to give you this purse containing ten thousand frederics if you do not.
CHEVALIER
Ten thousand? But the scoundrel owes me seventy thousand.
PRUSSIAN OFFICER
Your honor must lower his voice.
CHEVALIER
(whispering)
All Europe shall hear of this!
PRUSSIAN OFFICER
As you please.
Both lapse into silence.
The coach drives by. Suddenly -- "boom," the alarm cannon begins to roar.
PRUSSIAN OFFICER
Do not be alarmed. The alarm cannon only signals a deserter.
Chevalier nods.
The coach drives by and action as described.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Hearing the sound of the alarm cannon, the common people came out along the road, with fowling-pieces and pitch-forks, in hopes to catch the truant. The gendarmes looked very anxious to be on the lookout for him too. The price of a deserter was fifty crowns to those who brought him in.
The black and white barriers came in view at last hard by Bruck, and opposite them the green and yellow of Saxony. The Saxon custom-house officers came out.
CHEVALIER
I have no luggage.
PRUSSIAN OFFICER
The gentleman has nothing contraband.
The Prussian officers, grinning, hand the Chevalier the purse and take their leave of their prisoner with much respect.
The Chevalier de Belle Fast gives them three frederic apiece.
CHEVALIER
Gentlemen, I wish you a good day. Will you please go to the house from whence we set out this morning, and tell my man there to send my baggage on to Three Kings at Dresden?
RODERICK (V.O.)
Then ordering fresh horses, the Chevalier set off on his journey for that capital. I need not tell you that I was the Chevalier.
Roderick reading a letter over his breakfast in bed.
CHEVALIER (V.O.)
From the Chevalier de Belle Fast to Roderick James, Esquire, Gentilhomme Anglais. At the Hotel des trois Couronnes, Dresden, Saxe. My dear Roderick -- This comes to you by a sure hand, no other than Mr. Lumpit, of the English mission, who is acquainted, as all Berlin will be directly, with our wonderful story. They only know half as yet; they only know that a deserter went off in my clothes, and all are in admiration of your cleverness and valor.
Action as per description in letter.
CHEVALIER (V.O.)
As I lay in my bed two and a half hours after your departure, in comes your ex-captain, Galgenstein.
CAPTAIN GALGENSTEIN
(in his imperious Dutch manner)
Roderick! Are you there? No answer.
CAPTAIN GALGENSTEIN
The rogue is gone out.
Action as per voice over.
CHEVALIER (V.O.)
Straightaway he makes for the red box where I keep my love letters, my glass eye which I used to wear, my two sets of Paris teeth, and my other private matters that you know of. He first tries a bunch of keys, but none of them fit the English lock. Then he takes out of his pocket a chisel and hammer, and falls to work like a professional burglar, actually bursting open the little box! Now was my time to act! I advance towards him armed with an immense water-jug. I come noiselessly up to him just as he has broken the box, and, with all my might, I deal him such a blow over the head as smashes the water-jug to bits, and sends the captain with a snort lifeless to the ground. Then I ring all the bells in the house; and shout, and swear, and scream, "Thieves! -- Thieves! -- Landlord! -- Murder! -- Fire!" until the whole household comes tumbling up the stairs.