Page:Poet Lore, volume 33, 1922.pdf/191

 Havelka (Shrugging his shoulders).—It has been long discussed.

Tomeš.—The poachers are frightened. So our Count wants to enlist their services while they are scared out. Some of them have rifles hidden away in the game reserve,—the Count wants them to shoot any one of the suspected who may even be seen in the park!

Marie (In the rear, wringing her hands.)

Havelka.—It may put an end to the poaching. But how do you come to know what was discussed at the castle?

Tomeš (Carelessly).—Oh, I just knew it, and came to you before any messenger could arrive. The Count will be glad to see you at once. He is very angry today.

Havelka.—I will go to the castle at once.—But, Tomsi, is it all true?

Tomeš.—It is. What else they have planned I do not know. I am here now quite a while.

Havelka.—I am deeply grateful to you. And now I must go. (Preparing to leave.)

Marie.—Here is the Count himself!

(From the park proceeds the, a magistrate, and , dressed in travelling clothes, and talking to . The gamekeeper makes a deep obeisance to them. The nods, but  ignores him, absorbed in conversation with the  leads  to the cottage which he enters, then he leaves by the wood road.)

Millesimo.—I don’t know what I would do just now if I had to remain in Prague. (Laughing) Think of it, Count, I was just sitting at breakfast, eating a tender bit of grouse,—from your game reserve, by the way,—when a serving man, all breathless with excitement burst into my presence. Your Grace, he calls out, the French and Bavarians are here. (From the rear come the game warden and magistrate so deeply absorbed in conversation that they do not hear the and .)

Beauvalle (Surprised).—In Prague?

Millesimo (Laughing).—Where else, dear friend, but Prague? Why, in Prague we actually have the general, Count