4th Prince:  I will call for help! (Tries to shout.)

Ogre:  (Putting hand over his mouth and lifting whip.) Shout now and welcome, and it is bare bones will be left of you!  If it wasn’t that I need you to search out the golden-handled sword for me I’d throttle the whole of ye as easy as I’d squeeze an egg!  Come on now!  Show me where the treasure is hid.

5th Prince:  How would we know?

Ogre:  Didn’t I send ye spying it out, and if it fails ye to make it out, I’ll boil and bake you!

1st Prince:  (Looking about and pointing to end of room.) It might be there.

Ogre:  What way would it be on the bare floor?  Search it out.

2nd Prince:  (Looking under a bench.) It might be here.

Ogre:  It is not there.

3rd Prince:  (Looking up chimney?) This would be a good hiding-place.

Ogre:  (Looks up.) There is nothing in it, only an old nest of a jackdaw,—­a bundle of bare twigs.  Trying to deceive me you are and to lead me astray.

4th Prince:  It might be on the shelf.

Ogre:  Stop your chat unless you have something worth saying.

5th Prince:  (Sitting down on step under which sword is hidden.) Are you certain there is any treasure at all?

Ogre:  You are humbugging and making a fool of me! (Lashes whip and seizes him.) Get up now out of that! (Drags him up and taps board.) There is a hollow sort of a sound....  That is a sort of place where a treasure might be hid. (Drags up board.) I see something shining. (Pulls out sword.) Oh, it is a lovely sword!  And the handle of pure gold.  The best I ever seen!

1st Prince:  (To the others.) I’ll make a run now and call out and awaken all in the house! (Is going towards door.)

Ogre:  (Seizing him.) You’d make your escape would you?

1st Prince:  (Calling out.) Ring the big bell, ring the bell!  I forgot it till now.

(They pull a bell-rope and bell is beard clanging.)

Ogre:  (Rushing at them as they ring it.) I’ll stop that!

(Voices are heard, at door to right.  Ogre rushes to other door.)

2nd Prince:  I’ll get the sword from him. (Snatches it away as Ogre is rushing at him.  Servant and Guardian come in.)

Guardian:  What is going on! (Blows a whistle.) Here, soldiers of the guard!

(Feet are heard marching and bugle blowing at left door.  Ogre rapidly slips off his mask, and appears as a harmless old man.)

Guardian: Thieves!  Robbers!  Burglars!  Here, soldiers, surround the place; who are these ruffians?  Murder!  Robbery!  Fire!

(Two soldiers come in.)

Servant:  They are the very same youngsters were at our door this morning, doing their play; those Wrenboys!