young man. It happens that the young man she has in mind is Rédillon. Pontagnac is unaware of this. Vatelin, though no Adonis – he is short and tubby – is the unwilling object of the passionate devotion of Madame Meggy Soldignac. She is an Englishwoman whom he met while in London on business. She has pursued him to Paris, and threatens to kill herself unless he consents to meet her at the Ultimus Hotel. He reluctantly agrees. Pontagnac, learning of this, sees Vatelin's liaison as his opportunity to overcome Lucienne's resistance. Act 2 The scene is Room 39 of the Ultimus Hotel. The room that Meggy has reserved is much in demand, and is double-booked in error. It is occupied in rapid succession by Rédillon and an attractive cocotte, Armandine, and then by Major Pinchard – an army surgeon – and his wife, who is deaf. The latter, being unwell, goes to bed, while the major leaves the room to prepare a hot poultice for her. Vatelin enters stealthily, and gets into the bed, where he supposes Meggy is expecting him. Immediately electric bells ring at terrific volume. Pontagnac, who is lying in wait with Lucienne in the adjoining room to witness her husband's misconduct, has placed an apparatus under the mattress to trigger the bells. The room becomes the scene of chaos, the major applies the hot poultice to Vatelin by mistake, vengeful spouses, including Meggy's, come and go, and a brawl ensues when two different policemen attempt to arrest Pontagnac for improper conduct. Act 3 Lucienne calls on Rédillon at his bachelor flat, intending to get him into bed to revenge herself on her husband, but Rédillon is too fatigued from his demanding nocturnal activities with Armandine. Clotilde arrives, on the same mission as Lucienne, but Rédillon cannot oblige. Pontagnac arrives in pursuit of Lucienne and is ignored. Vatelin enters, followed by a policeman whom he wants to witness an adultery in flagrante delicto. Vatelin confesses to Rédillon that he is still in love with his wife and, when he learns that nothing has happened between the alleged lovers, he sobs with relief and pleasure. Lucienne overhears and falls into her husband's arms. Everyone is content, except for Pontagnac, who realises that he himself is the "dindon" – the "fall guy". Reception The critics were enthusiastic. One wrote, "The hilarious qualities of this side-splitting farce are enormous;