Page:The Makropoulos Secret (1925).pdf/151

THE MAKROPOULOS SECRET

It is all the same. Pepi knew who I was. I told him everything. I liked him.

[Getting up in excitement]

Eugenie!

Keep quiet, Max. I liked you, too. It was nice to live with you, when you were a young ensign. But Pepi—[Her voice breaks]—I liked him the best of all. That is why I lent him—the Makropoulos secret—when he wanted it so much

What did you lend him?

The Makropoulos secret.

What is that?

That paper you gave me back today. The sealed envelope. Pepi wanted to try it. He promised to give it back—but instead of that he hid it with the will. Perhaps, so that I would have to come and get it—but I didn’t come until now. [She laughs, then suddenly stops and turns to Prus] How did Pepi die?

In fever and with terrible cramps.