DONOHUE.  We needn’t be bothered with that, anyway. (Moves back to R.C. There is a pause.) Well, I’m afraid we’ll have to begin work. (He goes over to table R. and sits down stage end of table.  Takes paper and gets pencil.) With the exception of Mr. Crosby, who is known to nearly everyone, and Mr. Standish, who has so pleasantly introduced himself to me, I know none of you.  So I’ll have to ask—­ (He stops suddenly and rises, facing them all.  He points slowly to the chesterfield, facing fireplace up C.) That’s rather a gruesome thing there.  I think we’ll move it into another room.  Will some of you gentlemen carry Mr. Wales’ body into the other room. (There is a pause.  The men all hesitate.  Finally MASON starts to move to chesterfield. DONOHUE is down stage R.C.) Thank you very much.  We’ll—­

(Coming to C. DUNN enters from L.)

DUNN.  Dr. Bernstein himself is on the way here, Inspector.

DONOHUE.  Good!  Mike, get one of the servants to help you to carry this sofa into another room.

(DUNN turns and exits L. without speaking.)

I won’t have to trouble you after all, sir.

(MASON drops down to console table R. of chesterfield. DONOHUE gives a little laugh.)

Funny how these old superstitions cling to us.  One of the first tests for guilt invented by detectives was to ask a supposed murderer to touch the body of his victim. (Slight pause.) The test didn’t work very well, did it?  Certainly you four gentlemen can’t all be guilty. (Slight pause.) Well, we’ll have to try something else. (Very impressively.) Because, you know, I really am going to arrest the murderer of Edward Wales to-night.

(DUNN enters from L., followed by POLLOCK.)

Carry the sofa into another room, please.

CROSBY (down L.).  Into that room, please. (Indicating door L.C.)

(DUNN goes up to door L.C., turns knob—­discovers door is locked. POLLOCK crosses to R. end of chesterfield facing fireplace on which dummy has been placed between first and second acts.  Dummy is covered with a drapery.)

DUNN (at door L.C.).  The door is locked.

DONOHUE (C.).  Oh, yes, try these keys.

(DUNN comes down L.C., gets keys, goes up and unlocks door.  He and POLLOCK pick up chesterfield, POLLOCK taking his end of chesterfield through door L.C. first.)

And, Mike!

(DUNN turns his head.)

DUNN.  Yes, sir.

DONOHUE.  Make as quick an examination as you can and report to me here. (The men exit carrying sofa into room L.C.  DONOHUE crosses to chair below table R. and sits. TRENT places chair L.C.) If you will all come a little closer, please.