DocTOE. [Astonished and angry.] Do you really
mean that you take the cheque and then tell U8 it was
only magic ?



ACT ill MAGIC 61

CoNJUBEB. [Pidlmg the cheque to jneces."] I tear the
cheque, and I tell you it was only magic.
DooTOB. [With violent sincerity.'] But hang it all,
there's no such thing.
OoNJUBEB. Yes there is. I wish to God I did not
know that there is.
Duke. [Eising oJso.] Why, really, magic . ..
CoNJUBEB. [Contemptuously.] Yes, your Grace, one
of those larger laws you were telling us about.
[He buttons hia doak up at his throat omd takes
wp his hag. As he does so the Bet. Smith
steps between him emd the door and stops
him for a m.oment.
Smith. [In a low voice.] One moment, sir.
CoNJUEEE. "What do you want ?

Smith. I want to apologize to you. I mean on
behalf of the company. I think it was wrong to offer
you money. I think it was more wrong to mystify
you with medical language and call the thing delirium.
I have more respect for conjurer's patter than for
doctor's patter. They are both meant to stnpify ; but
yours only to stupify for a moment. Now I put it to
you in plain words and on plain human Christian
grounds. Here is a poor boy who may be going mad.
Suppose you had a son in such a position, would you
not expect people to tell you the whole truth if it
could help you ?

CoNJUEEE. Yes. And I have told you the whole
truth. Go and find out if it helps you.
[Turns again to go, but more irresolutely.
62 MAGIC ACT III

Smith. You know quite well it wiU not help us.
