[_Gesticulating_]: The music! Stop the music! They are crazy there. What a misfortune!
[_Someone runs off._ ZINIDA _approaches the crying_ BEZANO _and strokes his bowed, pomaded head_. _When he notices her, he catches her hand and presses it to his eyes._ _The_ BARON _takes the rose from his button-hole, tears off the petals, and drops it, grinding it with his foot_. _A few pale faces peer through the door, the same masquerade crowd._]
[_Over the head of_ BEZANO]: Louis, we must call the police.
[_Awakening from his stupor, screams_]: The police! Call the police! It's a murder! I am Count Mancini, I am Count Mancini! They will cut off your head, murderer, damned clown, thief! I myself will kill you, rascal! Ah, you! [_HE lifts his heavy head with difficulty._]
They will cut off my head? And what more.... Your Excellency?
Sir! Listen, sir! I am going for the police. Stop it, sir. [_He suddenly takes a step forward, and looking HE in the eyes, speaks in a hoarse voice, with a cough, holding one hand at his throat._] I am the witness. I saw. I am a witness. I saw how he put poison ... I----
[_He leaves the room, suddenly, with the same straight, heavy steps. All move away from him, frightened. HE drops his head again. From time to time a tremor shakes his body._]
[_Clasping his hands_]: Then it is all true? Poisoned! What a vile man you are, HE. Is this the way to play? Now wait for the last slap of the executioner! [_Makes the gesture around his neck, of the guillotine. Tilly and Polly repeat the gesture._]
Leave his soul alone, Jim. He was a man, and he loved. Happy Consuelo!
[_A shot is heard in the corridor._ THOMAS, _frightened, runs in and points to his head_.]
Baron ... Baron ... his head.... He shot himself?...
[_Throwing his arms up_]: God! What is it? The Baron? What a calamity for our circus.
The Baron? The Baron? No. What are you standing here for? Ah!
Calm down, Count. Who would have believed it? Such a respectable ... gentleman!
[_Lifting his head with difficulty; he sees only dimly with his dulled eyes_]: What more? What happened?
The Baron shot himself. Honestly. Straight here! He's lying out yonder.
[_Thinking it over_]: Baron? [_Laughs._] Then the Baron burst?
Stop it! It's shameless. A man died and you.... What's the matter with you, HE?