Volume 9 / Act 3 — SCENE VII
Reading edition
ROBERT, alone; then ANDREW; finally LINDENSCHMIED.
ROBERT.
Disgraceful! Disgraceful! Could it be possible that Andrew was capable of this kind of revenge? And I must believe it—I must! The dying man said it; he had threatened him with it—it was his gun—and all this is real—here the murdered man died—here is—with his blood he wrote it in the turf, so that I can have no doubt. And such men stand between me and my happiness? Take a firm stand, Robert; here everything is at stake. You are dealing with men who are afraid of no crime. Who comes there? It is Andrew himself. [Shouting to ANDREW, who is not yet visible.] Come on! If you are looking for me, murderer! You shall not find me defenseless and unwary as Godfrey—
ANDREW (entering, pale and tottering).
Godfrey?—
ROBERT.
There they carry him. He has been murdered, and you have done it.
ANDREW (angrily).
I, Robert?
ROBERT.
The murdered man recognized you and your gun—and your conscience betrays you.
ANDREW.
Hear me—for God's sake!
[LINDENSCHMIED comes stealing along the rocky path in the background.]
ROBERT.
Flee, murderer! Every step carries you nearer the gallows! Here is the blood that accuses you, and you yourself carry the confession on your pale face. The fever that shakes you testifies against you.
ANDREW.
May the fever rack your bones, shameless liar! The gun was stolen from me by Lindenschmied, who was on the lookout for Godfrey. I hurried after him as soon as I learned it. I fell in a swoon—by sheer will-force I recovered from the swoon—and—
ROBERT.
You say it is Lindenschmied who—
ANDREW.
If you do not believe me, look there toward the rocky path—
ROBERT.
Murderer, stand! Or I shoot you down!
[LINDENSCHMIED hurries across the stage on the rocky path. ROBERT follows him below.]
ANDREW (totters after him).
Be careful, Robert! The man is desperate—it is a matter of life and death.
LINDENSCHMIED.
Stand back! I'll shoot.
ROBERT (also behind the scenes).
Down with your gun, and stand!
ANDREW.
He is taking aim—jump aside, Robert!
[Two shots are heard in succession.]
Now it is done!
[Disappears in the bushes.]
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