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THE MAKROPOULOS SECRET

Let me see, Vitek. [He takes a photograph from Vitek] Did you sign this photograph for Miss Kristina? Is that your signature?

It is.

Very well. And now, did you send this paper to me yesterday? It is an authentic proclamation of Ellian MacGregor saying that she is the mother of Ferdinand Gregor. The date is 1836. Is that correct?

It is.

[Triumphantly]

But it is written with fresh ink. Do you know what that means, eh? That is a false document, my much esteemed lady!

How do you know that?

Look, gentlemen! [He wets his finger and runs over the paper] It still smudges. What do you say to that?

Nothing.

It was written yesterday. Do you under-