STEWARD: Mistrust? No, he's too insignificant for that. But I want to keep an eye on him. For I think — call it whim or superstition, if you like — that he's not just a mere tool of evil, but an upright, active worker for evil.
CHAMBERLAIN: He has been serving the Court quietly for thirty years — possibly without ever having been in the castle.
STEWARD: Oh, moles like him build long passages before they emerge. (Suddenly turns to Warden.) But first of all, away with this one! (To servant) Take him to the Friedrichspark, stay with him, and don't let him out until further notice.
WARDEN (very frightened): I'm supposed to wait for his Highness, the Prince.
STEWARD: An error. — Off with you.
CHAMBERLAIN: He must be treated with care. He's an old and sick man, and for some reason the Prince sets store by him.
WARDEN (bowing low before Chamberlain).
STEWARD: What? (To servant) Treat him carefully, but for God's sake get him out of here. Quick!
SERVANT (about to grab him).
CHAMBERLAIN (stepping between them): No, we must get a carriage.
STEWARD: It's the air at this Court. I can't taste a grain of salt anywhere. All right then, a carriage. You take the treasure away in a carriage. But now, out of the room with you both! (To Chamberlain) Your behavior shows me —
WARDEN (collapses, with a little scream, on way to door).
STEWARD (stamping his foot): Is it impossible to get rid of him? Pick him up in your arms if there's no other way. Can't you understand what's expected of you!
CHAMBERLAIN: The Prince!
SERVANT (opening door at left).
STEWARD: Ah! (Glances at Warden.) I should have known that ghosts cannot be transported.
PRINCE (enters with quick step, behind him the Princess, dark young woman with teeth clenched, stops in doorway).
PRINCE: What's happened?
STEWARD: The Warden felt ill, I was about to have him taken away.
PRINCE: I should have been notified. Has the doctor been sent for?
CHAMBERLAIN: I'll have him called. (Hurries out by center door, returns at once.)
PRINCE (kneeling beside Warden): Prepare a bed for him! Fetch a stretcher! Is the doctor on his way? He's taking a long time. The pulse is very weak. I can't hear the heart. These miserable ribs! How worn out this body is! (Stands up suddenly, fetches a glass of water, stares about him.) One is so helpless. (Kneels down again, moistens the Warden's face.) Now he's breathing better. It won't be so bad. Healthy stock, the kind that doesn't give up, even in extremity. But the doctor, the doctor!
(While he glances toward the door, the Warden raises his hand and caresses the Prince's cheek. Princess turns her head away, toward the window. Enter servants with stretcher, Prince helps to lift Warden.)
PRINCE: Handle him gently. Oh, you with your great claws! Lift his head a little. Nearer the stretcher. The pillow further down his back. His arm! His arm! You're all bad, bad nurses! I wonder if you'll ever be as tired as this man on the
