Won't you sit down and wait? {They seat them-
selves; then Mikkelsen says slyly) Why, the Under-
Secretary came very near putting us in a hole —
HEYMANN {unswermg in the same tone)
It almost looked like it this morning —

MIKKELSEN

Well, things of that kind will happen. But now the
company is as good as an accomplished fact, is n't it?

HEYMANN

Practically.
MIKKELSEN

So there is stiU something lacking.?

HEYMANN

We have still to have this protocol signed. They will
be here in an hour {with a faint smile) : the Under-
Secretary, Councillor Bang, the bankers Levison and
Meyer, the lawyers, and a few others. Then we 'U
sign. At six it will be announced to the heads of
our departments — and that means the matter is
finished.
MIKKELSEN

Are you quite sure now, Heymann, that nothing can
interfere .''

HEYMANN

It sounds almost as if you had something in mind.
MIKKELSEN

In your place I should n't feel quite so confident.
HEYMANN {becoming serious)
You mean that — ?

MIKKELSEN

In all such matters it seems to me that you can never



ACT m] LYNGGAARD & CO. 201

feel quite secure until the signatures have had time
to dry.
HEYMANN

Now you are a little too pessimistic, I think. Bar-
ring earthquakes and other natural phenomena that
cannot be foreseen —

MIKKELSEN

Earthquakes, you said. " Earthquake " is good.
That 's exactly what the house barometer is indi-
cating just now.
