- Harpagon comes onstage with a police officer. The officer brags that he has sent many thieves to be hanged over the years, and that he'll surely catch this one.
- The officer asks if Harpagon has any suspects, and Harpagon says everybody. In many performances, Harpagon turns to the crowd at this point and accuses them.
- The officer advises Harpagon not to go around interrogating everyone, but to gently prod people for evidence in order to build a case. Also, maybe he should take a cold shower or something to stop flipping out so absolutely.