Sherlock Holmes: A Drama in Four Acts Part 4

Sherlock Holmes

A Drama in Four Acts

Act 1 (Cont...)

[Last dialogue - 

HOLMES (in his face) Because you will infinitely prefer to avoid an investigation of your very suspicious conduct Mr. James Larrabee — 

(A sharp start from both LARRABEE and MADGEon hearing HOLMES address the former by his proper name.)

]

HOLMES (in his face) Because you will infinitely prefer to avoid an investigation of your very suspicious conduct Mr. James Larrabee — 

(A sharp start from both LARRABEE and MADGEon hearing HOLMES address the former by his proper name.)

— an investigation that shall certainly take place if you or your wife presume further to interfere with my business (Turns to FORMAN.) As for you, my man—it gives me great pleasure recall the features of an old acquaintance. Your recent connection with the signing of another man’s name to a small piece of paper has made your presence at Bow Street much desired. You either deliver that card to Miss Faulkner at once — or you sleep in the police station to night.  It is a matter of small consequence to me which you do. (Turns and strolls near fire, picking book from mantelpiece—and sits)

(FORMAN stands motionless but torn with conflicting fears)

FORMAN (finally in a low painful voice—whispers hoarse): Shall I go sir?

(MADGE moves to near LARRABEE, at piano.)

LARRABEE:  Go on. Take up the card — it makes no difference to me.

MADGE (quick sharp aside to LARRABEE): If she comes down can’t he get them away from her?

LARRABEE (to MADGE) If he does Sid Prince is waiting for him outside.

(FORMAN appearing to be greatly relieved, turns and goes out up stairs with HOLMES’ card.)

(Pathetic music, very pp.)

(A pause—no one moves.)

(Enter ALICE FAULKNER. She comes down a little — very weak — looking at LARRABEE, then seeing HOLMES for first time.)

(Stop music.)

HOLMES (on seeing ALICE, rises and puts book on mantel. After a brief pause, turns and comes down to LARRABEE): A short time since you displayed an acute anxiety to leave the room. Pray do not let me detain you or your wife — any longer.

(The LARRABEES do not move. After a brief pause,HOLMES shrugs shoulders slightly and goes over to ALICE. HOLMESand ALICE regard each other a moment.)

ALICE:  This is Mr. Holmes?

HOLMES:  Yes.

ALICE:  You wished to see me?

HOLMES:  Very much indeed, Miss Faulkner, but I am sorry to see — (placing chair near her) — you are far from well.

ALICE (a step. LARRABEE gives a quick glance across at her, threateningly, and a gesture of warning, but keeping it down): Oh no — (Stops as she catches LARRABEE’S angry glance.)

HOLMES (pausing as he is about to place chair, and looking at her): No? (Lets go of his chair.) I beg your pardon — but — (Goes to her and takes her hand delicately — looks at red marks on her wrist. Looking up at her.) What does this mean?

ALICE (shrinking a little. Sees LARRABEE’S cruel glance): Oh— nothing.

(HOLMES looks steadily at her an instant.)

HOLMES: Nothing?

ALICE (shaking head): No!

HOLMES: And the — (pointing lightly) — mark here on your neck. Plainly showing the clutch of a man’s fingers? (Indicating a place on her neck where more marks appear.) Does that mean nothing also?

(Pause. ALICE turns slightly away without answering.)

(Looking straight before him to front.) It occurs to me that I would like to have an explanation of this … Possibly —(turns slowly towards LARRABEE) — you can furnish one, Mr. Larrabee?

(Pause.)

LARRABEE (doggedly): How should I know?

HOLMES: It seems to have occurred in your house.

LARRABEE (advancing a little, becoming violently angry): What if it did? You’d better understand that it isn’t healthy for you or anyone else to interfere with my business.

HOLMES (quickly—incisively): Ah! Then it is your business. We have that much at least.

(LARRABEE stops suddenly and holds himself in.)

(Turning to ALICE.) Pray be seated, Miss Faulkner. (Placing chair as if not near enough.)

(ALICE hesitates an instant — then decides to remain standing for the present. LARRABEE stands watching and listening to interview between HOLMES and ALICE.)

ALICE: I don’t know who you are, Mr. Holmes, or why you are here.

HOLMES:  I shall be very glad to explain. So far as the question of my identity is concerned, you have my name and address as well as the announcement of my profession upon the card, which I observe you still hold clasped tightly in the fingers of your left hand.

(ALICE at once looks at the card in her hand.)

ALICE (a look at him): A — detective! (Sits on ottoman, looking at HOLMES.)

HOLMES (draws near her and sits): Quite so. And my business is this. I have been consulted as to the possibility of obtaining from you certain letters and other things which are supposed to be in your possession, and which — I need not tell you — are the source of the greatest anxiety.

ALICE (her manner changing and no longer timid and shrinking): It is quite true I have such letters, Mr. Holmes, but it will be impossible to get them from me; others — have tried — and failed.

HOLMES:  What others have or have not done, while possibly instructive in certain directions, can in no way affect my conduct, Miss Faulkner. I have come to you frankly and directly, to beg you to pity and forgive.

ALICE:  There are some things, Mr. Holmes, beyond pity — beyond forgiveness.

HOLMES:  But there are other things that are not. (ALICElooks at him.) I am able to assure you of the sincere penitence — the deep regret — of the one who inflicted the injury, and of his earnest desire to make — any reparation in his power.

ALICE:  How can reparation be made to the dead?

HOLMES:  How indeed! And for that very reason, whatever injury you yourself may be able to inflict by means of these things can be no reparation — no satisfaction — no indemnity to the one no longer here. You will be acting for the living — not the dead. For your own satisfaction, Miss Faulkner, your own gratification, your own revenge!

(ALICE starts slightly at the idea suggested and rises. Pause. HOLMES rises, moves his chair back a little, standing with his hand on it.)

ALICE (stands a moment, very quiet low voice): I know — from this and from other things that have happened — that a — a marriage is — contemplated.

HOLMES:  It is quite true.

ALICE:  I cannot give up what I intend to do, Mr. Holmes. There are other things beside revenge — there is punishment. If I am not able to communicate with the family — to which this man proposes to ally himself — in time to prevent such a thing — the punishment will come later — but you may be perfectly sure it will come. (HOLMES is about to speak. She motions him not to speak.) There is nothing more to say!

(HOLMES gives a signal.)

(She looks at HOLMES an instant.) Good night, Mr. Holmes. (She turns and starts to go.)

HOLMES:  But my dear Miss Faulkner, before you —

(A confused noise of shouting and terrified screams from below followed by sounds of people running up a stairway and through the halls.)

HOLMES: What’s that?

(All stop and listen. Noise louder. Enter FORMAN, breathless and white. At same time smoke pours in through archway.)

FORMAN (gasping): Mr. Chetwood! Mr. Chetwood! 

MADGE and LARRABEE: What is it?

(HOLMES keeps his eyes sharply on ALICE. ALICEstands back alarmed.)

FORMAN: The lamp — in the kitchen, sir! It fell off the table — an’ everything down there is blazin’, sir.

MADGE: The house — is on fire! (She gives a glance towards safe,  forgetting that the package is gone— but instantly recovers.)

(LARRABEE hurriedly goes out, MADGE after him.FORMAN disappears. Noise of people running downstairs, etc. ALICE, on cue “Blazin’, sir,” gives a scream and looks quickly at chair, at the same time making an involuntary start toward it.  She stops upon seeing HOLMES and stands. Noises grow less and die away outside and below.)

HOLMES:  Don’t alarm yourself, Miss Faulkner — (slight shake of head) —there is no fire.

ALICE (shows by tone that she fears something): No fire! (Stands,  dreading what may come.)

HOLMES:  The smoke was all arranged for by me. (Slight pause)

ALICE:  Arranged for? (Looks at HOLMES.)

(HOLMES quickly moves to large upholstered chair which ALICE glanced at and made start towards a moment since.)

What does it mean, Mr. Holmes?

(HOLMES feels rapidly over chair. Rips away upholstery. ALICEattempts to stop him — but is too late, and backs to piano almost in a fainting condition. HOLMES stands erect with a package in 
hand.)

HOLMES:  That I wanted this package of letters, Miss Faulkner.

(ALICE stands looking at HOLMES speechless — motionless —meets HOLMES’ gaze for a moment, and then covers her face with her hands, and very slight motion of convulsive sob or two. HOLMES with a quick motion steps quickly in a business-like way to the seat where his coat, hat and cane are, and picks up coat, throwing it over his arm as if to go at once. As he is about to take his hat, he catches sight of ALICE’S face and stops dead where he is.)

(Music. Very pp. Scarcely audible.)

(HOLMES stands looking at her, motionless. She soon looks up at him again, brushing hand across face as if to clear away any sign of crying. The tableau of the two looking at one another is held a moment or two. HOLMES’ eyes leave her face and he looks down an instant. After a moment he lays his coat, hat and cane back on seat. Pauses an instant. Turns toward her.)

HOLMES (low voice. Brief pause): I won’t take them, Miss Faulkner. (He looks down an instant. Her eyes are upon his face steadily.) As you— (still looking down) — as you —very likely conjecture, the alarm of fire was only to make you betray their hiding-place — which you did … and I — availed myself of that betrayal — as you see. But now that I witness your great distress — I find that I cannot keep them — unless — (looking up at her )— you can possibly — change your mind and let me have them — of your own free will … (He looks at her a moment. She shakes her head very slightly.) I hardly supposed you could. (Looks down a moment. Looks up.) I will therefore — return it to you. (Very slight pause, and he is about to start toward her as if to hand her the Package.)

(Sound of quick footsteps outside. Enter LARRABEE, with a revolver in his hand, followed by MADGE.)

(Stop music.)

LARRABEE:  So! You’ve got them, have you? And now, I suppose we’re going to see you walk out of the house with them. (Handles revolver with meaning.)

(HOLMES looks quietly at LARRABEE an instant.)

HOLMES:  On the contrary, you’re going to see me return them to their rightful owner.

LARRABEE (with revolver) Yes — I think that’ll be the safest thing for Mr. Sherlock Holmes to do.

(HOLMES stops dead and looks at LARRABEE and walks quietly down facing him)

HOLMES: You flatter yourself Mr. Larrabee. The reason I did not leave the house with this package of papers is not because of you, or what you may do — or say — or think — or feel! It is on account of this young lady! I care that for your cheap bravado (Looks at revolver and smiles) Really? (He looks quietly in LARRABEE’S eyes an instant, then turns and goes to ALICE.) Miss Faulkner permit me to place this in your hands (Gives her the package.)

(ALICE takes the package with sudden eagerness—then turns and keeps her eyes steadily on HOLMES)

Should you ever change your mind and be so generous, forgiving as to wish to return these letters to the one who wrote them, you have my address. In any event, rest assured there will be no more cruelty, no more persecution in this house.  You are perfectly safe with your property now — for I shall so arrange that your faintest cry of distress will be heard! And if that cry is heard — it will be a very unfortunate thing for those who are responsible.  Good night Miss Faulkner (Pause—turns toLARRABEE and MADGE. Coming to them) As for you sir and you, madam, I beg you to understand that you continue your persecution of that young lady at your peril

(ALICE looks at HOLMES an instant, uncertain what to do. He makes a slight motion indicating her to go. ALICE, after slight pause crosses in front of HOLMES and goes out LARRABEE makes slight move towards ALICE, but is checked by a look fromHOLMES. HOLMES waits motionless eyes on ALICE until exit. Then he looks after her for a moment. Then turns and takes his coat and hat. Looks at them an instant.)

Good evening— (Walks out and the sound of heavy door closing is heard outside)

(Pause LARRABEE and MADGE stand whereHOLMES left them.  Sound of window opening SIDPRINCE hurries in at window)

PRINCE (sharp but subdued): Well! ‘E didn’t get it, did ‘e?

(LARRABEE shakes head. PRINCE looks at him, puzzled, and then turns towards MADGE.)

Well — wot is it? Wot’s the pay if ‘e didn’t?

MADGE:  He gave it to her.

PRINCE:  What! — ‘e found it?

(MADGE indicates “Yes” by slight movement.)

An’ gave it to the girl?

(MADGE repeats slight affirmative motion.)

Well ‘ere — I say! Wot are you waiting for? Now’s the chance — before she ‘ides it again! (Starting as if to go.)

MADGE (stopping PRINCE): No! Wait! (Glances round nervously.)

PRINCE:  Wot’s the matter! (Going to LARRABEE.) Do you want to lose it?

LARRABEE:  No! you’re right! It’s all a cursed bluff! (Starting as if to go.)

MADGE (meeting them, as if to stop them): No, no, Jim!

LARRABEE:  I tell you we will! Now’s our chance to get a hold of it! (Pushing her aside.)

PRINCE:  Well, I should say so!

(Three knocks are heard just as PRINCE and LARRABEEreach archway. A distant sound of three heavy blows, as if struck from underneath up against the floor, reverberates through the house. All stop motionless.)

(Pause.)

(Music, melodramatic agitato, very pp. till Curtain.)

LARRABEE (in a low voice): What’s that?

MADGE:  Someone at the door.

LARRABEE (low voice): No — it was on that side!

(PRINCE glances round alarmed. MADGE rings bell. Enter FORMAN All stand easily as if nothing out of the usual.)

MADGE: I think someone knocked, Judson.

(FORMAN at once goes out quietly but quickly. Sound of door outside closing again. FORMAN re-enters.)

FORMAN:  I beg pardon, ma’am, there’s no one at the door.

MADGE:  That’s all.

(FORMAN goes.)

PRINCE (speaks almost in a whisper from above the piano) ‘E‘s got us watched! Wot we want to do is to leave it alone an the Hemperor ‘ave it!

MADGE (low voice — taking a step or two toward PRINCE): Do you mean — Professor Moriarty?

PRINCE: That’s ‘oo I mean.  Once let ‘im get at it and ‘e’ll settle it with ‘Olmes pretty quick (Turns to LARRABEE). Meet me at Leary’s — nine sharp — in the morning. Don’t you worry a minute.  I tell you the Professor’ll get at ‘im before to-morrow night! ‘E don’t wait long either! An’ w’en he strikes — it means death. (He goes out at window)

(Brief pause.  After PRINCE goes MADGE looks after him. LARRABEE, with a despairing look on his face, leans on chair — looks round puzzled. His eyes meet MADGE’Sas lights fade away.)