MRS. BATHOLOMMEY.  I’ll ask her. [Exit into dining-room.

CATHERINE.  If not, who had the picture?...  And why weren’t we all told?...  Who tore it up?  Did you, William? [WILLIAM shakes his head, meaning “No."] Who has been at the desk?  No one save Frederik ...  Frederik ... and surely he—­[She pauses—­perplexed.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [Re-entering.] No, Marta hasn’t heard a word; and, only a few minutes ago, she asked Frederik if some message hadn’t come, but he said “No, nothing.”  I didn’t tell her of the picture.

CATHERINE. [Looking at the picture.] I wonder if there was any message with it.

MRS. BATHOLOMMEY.  I remember the day that picture came ... the day your uncle died....  It was in a long blue envelope—­the size of the picture....  I took it from the postman myself because every one was distracted and rushing about.  It dropped to the floor and as I picked it up I thought I knew the writing; but I couldn’t remember whose it was....  It was directed to your uncle.... [Looking from the desk to the waste-basket.] There’s the envelope [Holding up a scrap of blue envelope.] and paper; ... some one has burned it.

CATHERINE.  Annamarie wrote to my uncle ...

DR. MACPHERSON. [Not understanding.] But what could Peter have to say to me concerning Annamarie? [Making a resolution—­rising.] We’re going to find out.  You may draw the curtains, Catherine, if you please. [CATHERINE draws the curtains.  The DOCTOR turns the lights down and closes the door.  A pause.] Peter Grimm ...

PETER.  Yes, Andrew?...

DR. MACPHERSON. [Not hearing.] If you have come back ... if you are in the room ... and the boy speaks truly—­give me some sign ... some indication ...

PETER.  I can’t give you a sign, Andrew....  I have spoken to the boy ... the boy ...

DR. MACPHERSON.  If you cannot make your presence known to me—­I know there are great difficulties—­will you try and send your message by William?  I presume you have one—­

PETER.  Yes, that’s right.

DR. MACPHERSON. —­or else you wouldn’t have come back.

PETER.  That’s just the point I wanted to make, Andrew.  You understand perfectly.

DR. MACPHERSON. [As before.] I am waiting....  We are all waiting. [Noticing that a door is a trifle ajar.] The door’s open again. [MRS. BATHOLOMMEY, without making a sound, closes it and sits as before.

PETER.  Sh!  Listen! [A pause.

WILLIAM. [In a peculiar manner—­as though in a half dream—­but not shutting his eyes.  As though controlled by PETER.] There was Annamarie and me and the other.

DR. MACPHERSON. [Very low, as though afraid to interrupt WILLIAM’S train of thought.] What other?

WILLIAM.  The man ... that came.

DR. MACPHERSON.  What man?