AIDE. In about half an hour, sire.

EMPEROR. Bid their mothers return at that time. I wish them to be present
at the test.

AIDE. Yes, sire.

[_He salutes and goes._]

EMPEROR (_slowly_). Let me see--a lame man; a lame dog; running footprints
across open spaces; wading streams instead of leaping them; stopping to
pick berries--Why, the story reads itself!

(_He sits at table; takes up maps._)

Well, we shall see what we shall see!


SCENE III

TIME: _a half hour later_.
PLACE: _the Emperor's tent; the ante-room_.

* * * * *

THE EMPEROR.
THE GENERAL.
THE CAPTAIN.
AN AIDE.