Auctioneer. [Turning with surprise and looking up to receive Hillcrist’s nod] Thank you, sir.  And two.  Seven thousand two hundred. [He screws himself round so as to command both Hillcrist and Hornblower] May I have yours, sir? [Hornblower] And three. [Hillcrist] And four.  Seven thousand four hundred.  For seven thousand four hundred. [Hornblower] Five. [Hillcrist] Six.  For seven thousand six hundred. [A pause] Well, gen’lemen, this is. better, but a record property shid fetch a record price.  The possibilities are enormous. [Hornblower] Eight thousand did you say, sir?  Eight thousand.  Going for eight thousand pounds. [Hillcrist] And one. [Hornblower] And two. [Hillcrist] And three. [Hornblower] And four. [Hillcrist] And five.  For eight thousand five hundred.  A wonderful property for eight thousand five hundred.

[He wipes his brow.]

Jill. [Whispering] Oh, Dodo!

Mrs. H. That’s enough, Jack, we must stop some time.

Auctioneer.  For eight thousand five hundred.  Once—­[Taps]—­twice—­ [Taps] [Hornblower] Six hundred. [Hillcrist] Seven.  May I have yours, sir? [Hornblower] Eight.

Hillcrist. Nine thousand.

     [Mrs. Hillcrist looks at him, biting her lips, but he is quite
     absorbed.]

Auctioneer.  Nine thousand for this astounding property.  Why, the Duke would pay that if he realised he’d be overlooked.  Now, Sir? [To Hornblower.  No response].  Just a little raise on that. [No response.] For nine thousand.  The Centry, Deepwater, for nine thousand.  Once—­[Taps] Twice——­[Taps].

Jill. [Under her breath] Ours!

A voice. [From far back in the centre] And five hundred.

Auctioneer. [Surprised and throwing out his arms towards the voice] And five hundred.  For nine thousand five hundred.  May I have yours, sir? [He looks at Hornblower.  No response.]

     [The solicitor speaks to him.  Mrs. H. [Whispering] It must
     be the Duke again.]

Hillcrist. [Passing his hand over his brow] That’s stopped him, anyway.

Auctioneer. [Looking at Hillcrist] For nine thousand five hundred? [Hillcrist shakes his head.] Once more.  The Centry, Deepwater, for nine thousand five hundred.  Once—­[Taps] Twice—­[Taps] [He pauses and looks again at Hornblower and Hillcrist] For the last time—­at nine thousand five hundred. [Taps] [With a look towards the bidder] Mr. Smalley.  Well! [With great satisfaction] That’s that!  No more to-day, gen’lemen.

     [The auctioneer and solicitor busy themselves.  The room begins
     to empty.]

Mrs. H. Smalley?  Smalley?  Is that the Duke’s agent?  Jack!