Sherlock Holmes: A Drama in Four Acts Part 8

Characteristic Music for Curtain.

CRAIGIN and LEARY are discovered. CRAIGIN is sitting on a box. He sits glum and motionless, waiting. LEARY is sitting on table his feet on the chair in front of it.

McTAGUE enters with safety lamp. He stops just within a moment, glancing around in the dimness. Soon moves up near a masonry pier, a little above the door, and leans against it, waiting. CRAIGIN, LEARY and McTAGUE are dressed in dark clothes and wear felt -soled shoes.

LEARY:  What’s McTague doing ‘ere?

McTAGUE:  I was sent ‘ere.

(All dialogue in this part of Act in low tones, but distinct, to give a weird effect, echoing through the large grimy room among the deep shadows.)

LEARY:  I thought the Seraph was with us in this job.

CRAIGIN:  ‘E ain’t.

LEARY:  Who was the last you put the gas on?

(Pause.)

CRAIGIN:  I didn’t ‘ear ‘is name. (Pause.) ‘E’d been ‘oldin’ back money on a ‘aul out some railway place.

(Pause.)

McTAGUE:  What’s this ‘ere job he wants done? (Sits on box, placing lamp on floor by his side.)

(Pause.)

CRAIGIN: I ain’t been told.

(Pause.)

LEARY:  As long as it’s ‘ere we know what it’s likely to be.

(Door opens slowly and hesitatingly. Enter SID PRINCE. He stands just within door, and looks about a little suspiciously as if uncertain what to do. Pause. He notices that the door is slowly closing behind him and quietly holds it back. But he must not burlesque this movement with funny business. McTAGUE holds lantern up to see who it is, at the same time rising and coming down near PRINCE.)

PRINCE:  Does any one of you blokes know if this is the place where I meet Alf Bassick?

(Pause. Neither of the other men take notice of PRINCE. McTAGUE goes back to where he was sitting before PRINCE’Sentrance.)

(After waiting a moment.) From wot you say, I take it you don’t.

CRAIGIN:  We ain’t knowin’ no such man. ‘E may be ‘ere and ‘e may not.

PRINCE:  Oh! (Comes a little farther into room and lets the door close.) It’s quite right then, thank you. (Pause. No one speaks.) Nice old place to find, this ‘ere is. (No one answers him.) And when you do find it — (looks about) — I can’t say it’s any too cheerful. (He thereupon pulls out a cigarette-case, puts a cigarette in his mouth, and feels in pocket for matches. Finds one. About to light it. Has moved a few steps during this.)

CRAIGIN: Here! ...

(PRINCE stops.)

Don’t light that! … It ain’t safe!

(PRINCE stops motionless, where above speech caught him, for an instant. Pause. PRINCE begins to turn his head slowly and only a little way, glances carefully about, as if expecting to see tins of nitro-glycerine. He sees nothing on either side, and finally turns towards CRAIGIN.)

PRINCE:  If it ain’t askin’ too much wot’s the matter with the place? It looks all roight to me.

CRAIGIN:  Well don’t light no matches, and it’ll stay lookin’ the same.

(Pause. Door opens, and BASSICK enters hurriedly. He looks quickly about.)

BASSICK:  Oh, Prince, you’re here. I was looking for you outside.

PRINCE:  You told me to be ‘ere, sir. That was ‘ow the last arrangement stood.

BASSICK:  Very well! (Going across PRINCE and glancing about to see that the other men are present.) You’ve got the rope Craigin?

(Voices are still kept low.)

CRAIGIN (pointing to bunch of loose rope on floor near him):  It’s ’ere.

BASSICK:  That you, Leary?

LEARY:  ‘Ere, sir!

BASSICK:  And McTague?

McTAGUE:  ‘Ere, sir!

BASSICK:  You want to be very careful with it to-night — you’ve  got a tough one.

CRAIGIN:  You ain’t said who, as I’ve ‘eard.

BASSICK (low voice): Sherlock Holmes.

(Brief pause.)

CRAIGIN (after the pause): You mean that, sir?

BASSICK: Indeed, I do!

CRAIGIN: We’re goin’ to count ‘im out.

BASSICK: Well, if you don’t and he gets away — I’m sorry for you, that’s all.

CRAIGIN: I’ll be cursed glad to put the gas on ‘im — I tell you that.

LEARY:  I say the same myself.

(Sound of MORIARTY and LARRABEE coming.)

BASSICK: Sh! Professor Moriarty’s coming.

(McTAGUE places lamp on box.)

LEARY:  Not the guv’nor?

BASSICK:  Yes. He wanted to see this.

(The three men retire a little up stage, waiting. BASSICK moves to meet MORIARTY. PRINCE moves up out of way. Door opens. Enter MORIARTY, followed by LARRABEE. Door slowly closes behind them. LARRABEE waits a moment near door and then retires up near PRINCE. They watch the following scene. All speeches low — quiet — in undertone.)

MORIARTY:  Where’s Craigin?

(CRAIGIN steps forward.)

Have you got your men?

CRAIGIN:  All ‘ere, sir.

MORIARTY:  No mistakes to-night.

CRAIGIN:  I’ll be careful o’ that.

MORIARTY (quick glance about): That door, Bassick. (Points up, back to audience.)

BASSICK: A small cupboard, sir. (Goes quickly up and opens the door wide to show it.)

(LEARY catches up lantern and swings it near the cupboard door.)

MORIARTY:  No outlet?

BASSICK: None whatever, sir.

(LEARY swings lantern almost inside cupboard to let MORIARTY See. All this dialogue in very low tones, but distinct and Impressive.  BASSICK closes door after lantern business.)

MORIARTY (turns and points): That window?

BASSICK (moving over a little): Nailed down, sir!

(LEARY turns and swings the lantern near window so that MORIARTY can see.)

MORIARTY:  A man might break the glass.

BASSICK: If he did that he’d come against heavy iron bars outside.

CRAIGIN: We’ll ‘ave ‘im tied down afore ‘e could break any glass sir.

MORIARTY (who has turned to CRAIGIN): Ah! You’ve used it before.  Of course you know if it’s airtight?

BASSICK:  Every crevice is caulked sir.

MORIARTY (turns and points as if at something directly over footlights) And that door?

(LEARY comes down and gives lantern a quick swing as if lighting place indicated)

BASSICK (from same position): The opening is planked up solid sir as you can see and double thickness.

MORIARTY: Ah! (Satisfaction. Glances at door through which he entered) When the men turn the gas on him they leave by that door?

BASSICK: Yes sir.

MORIARTY: It can be made quite secure?

BASSICK: Heavy bolts on the outside sir and solid bars over all.

MORIARTY: Let me see how quick you can operate them.

BASSICK: They tie the man down, sir — there’s no need to hurry.

MORIARTY (same voice) Let me see how quick you can operate them.

BASSICK (quick order): Leary! (Motions him to door) 

LEARY (handing lamp to CRAIGIN): Yes sir! (He jumps to and goes out closing it at once and immediately the sound of sliding bolts and the dropping of bars are heard from outside)

(This is a very important effect as it is repeated at the end of the Act.  CRAIGIN places lamp on box)

MORIARTY: That s all.

(Sounds of bolts withdrawn and LEARY enters and waits)

(Goes to CRAIGIN.) Craigin — you’ll take your men outside that door and wait till Mr. Larrabee has had a little business interview with the gentleman. Take them up the passage to the left so Holmes does not see them as he comes in. (To BASSICK.) Who’s driving the cab to night?

BASSICK: I sent O’Hagan. His orders are to drive him about for an hour so he doesn’t know the distance or the direction he’s going, and then stop at the small door at upper Swandem Lane. He’s going to get him out there and show him to this door.

MORIARTY: The cab windows were covered, of course?

BASSICK: Wooden shutters, sir, bolted and secure. There isn’t a place he can see through the size of a pin.

MORIARTY (satisfied): Ah! … (Looks about.) We must have a lamp here.

BASSICK: Better not, sir — there might be some gas left.

MORIARTY: You’ve got a light there. (Pointing to miner’s safety lamp on box.)

BASSICK:  It’s a safety lamp, sir.

MORIARTY:  A safety lamp! You mustn’t have that here! The moment he sees that he’ll know what you’re doing and make trouble. (Sniffs.) There’s hardly any gas. Go and tell Lascar we must have a good lamp.

(BASSICK goes out.)

(Looks about.) Bring that table over here.

(CRAIGIN and McTAGUE bring table.)

Now, Craigin — and the rest of you — One thing remember. No shooting to-night! Not a single shot. It can be heard in the alley below. The first thing is to get his revolver away before he has a chance to use it. Two of you attract his attention in front — the other come up on him from behind and snatch it out of his pocket. Then you have him. Arrange that, Craigin.

CRAIGIN:  I’ll attend to it, sir.

(The three men retire. Enter BASSICK with large lamp. Glass shade to lamp of whitish colour. BASSICK crosses to table and Places lamp on it.)

BASSICK (to McTAGUE): Put out that lamp.

(McTAGUE is about to pick up lamp.)

CRAIGIN:  Stop!

(McTAGUE waits.)

We’ll want it when the other’s taken away.

BASSICK: He mustn’t see it, understand.

MORIARTY:  Don’t put it out — cover it with something. 

CRAIGIN:  Here! (He goes up, takes lantern, and pulling out a large box from several others places lantern within and pushes the open side against the wall so that no light from lantern can be seen from front.)

MORIARTY:  That will do.

BASSICK (approaching MORIARTY): You mustn’t stay longer, sir.  O’Hagan might be a little early.

MORIARTY:  Mr. Larrabee — (Moving a step forward.) You understand! — they wait for you. 

LARRABEE (low — quiet): I understand, sir.

MORIARTY:  I give you this opportunity to get what you can for your trouble. But anything that is found on him after you have finished — is subject — (glances at CRAIGIN and others) — to the usual division.

LARRABEE:  That’s all I want.

MORIARTY:  When you have quite finished and got your money  suppose you blow that little whistle which I observe hanging from your watch chain — and these gentlemen will take their turn.

(BASSICK holds door open for MORIARTY. LARRABEE moves up out of way as MORIARTY crosses.)

(Crosses to door.   At door, turning to CRAIGIN.) And, Craigin — 

(CRAIGIN crosses to MORIARTY.)

At the proper moment present my compliments to Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and say that I wish him a pleasant journey to the other side. (Goes out, followed by BASSICK.)

(LARRABEE glances about critically. As MORIARTY goes, PRINCE throws cigarette on floor in disgust, which LEARY picks up as he goes later, putting it in his pocket.)

LARRABEE: You’d better put that rope out of sight. 

(CRAIGIN picks up rope, which he carries with him until he goes out later. LEARY and McTAGUE move across noiselessly at back.  CRAIGIN stops an instant up stage to examine the window, looking at the caulking, etc., and shaking the frames to see that they are securely spiked. Others wait near door. He finishes at window.  LARRABEE is examining package near lamp, which he has taken from his pocket. As LEARY crosses he picks up rope which was lying up centre and hides it in barrel.McTAGUE in crossing bumps up against PRINCE, and both look momentarily at each other very much annoyed.)

CRAIGIN (joins LEARY and McTAGUE at door. Speaks to LARRABEE from door): You understand, sir, we’re on this floor just around the far turn of the passage — so ‘e won’t see us as ‘e’s commin’ up.

LARRABEE:  I understand. (Turning to CRAIGIN.)

CRAIGIN:  An’ it’s w’en we ‘ears that whistle, eh?

LARRABEE:  When you hear this whistle.

(CRAIGIN, LEARY and McTAGUE go out noiselessly. Pause. Door remains open. PRINCE, who has been very quiet during foregoing scene, begins to move a little nervously and looks about. He looks at his watch and then glances about again.LARRABEE is still near lamp, looking at package of papers which he took from his pocket.)

PRINCE (coming down in a grumpy manner, head down, not looking at LARRABEE): Look ‘ere, Jim, this sort of thing ain’t so much in my line.

LARRABEE (at table): I suppose not.

PRINCE (still eyes about without looking at LARRABEE): When it comes to a shy at a safe or drillin’ into bank vaults, I feels perfectly at ‘ome, but I don’t care so much to see a man — (Stops — hesitates.) Well, it ain’t my line!

LARRABEE (turning): Here! (Going to him and urging him toward door and putting package away.) All I want of you is to go down on the corner below and let me know when he comes.

PRINCE (stops and turns to LARRABEE): ‘Ow will I let you know?

LARRABEE:  Have you got a whistle?

PRINCE (pulls one out of pocket): Cert’nly.

LARRABEE:  Well when you see O’Hagan driving with him Come down the alley there and blow it twice. (Urging PRINCE a little nearer door.)

PRINCE:  Yes—but ain’t it quite loikely to call a cab at the same time?

LARRABEE:  What more do you want — take the cab and go home.

PRINCE:  Oh, then you won’t need me ‘ere again.

LARRABEE:  No.

(PRINCE turns to go.)

PRINCE (going to door — very much relieved): Oh, very well — then I’ll tear myself away. (Goes out.)

(Music. Pathetic, melodramatic, agitato, pp.)

(LARRABEE crosses to table and looks at lamp, gets two chairs and places them on either side of table; As he places second chair he stops dead as if having heard a noise outside, listens, and is satisfied all is well. Then thinking of the best way to conduct negotiations with Holmes, takes out cigar, and holds it a moment unlighted as he thinks. Then takes out match and is about to light  it when ALICE FAULKNER enters. He starts up and looks at her.  She stands looking at him, frightened and excited.)

(Music stops.)

LARRABEE:  What do you want?

ALICE: It’s true, then?

LARRABEE:  How did you get to this place?

ALICE:  I followed you — in a cab.

LARRABEE:  What have you been doing since I came up here? Informing the police, perhaps.

ALICE:  No — I was afraid he’d come — so I waited.

LARRABEE:  Oh — to warn him very likely?

ALICE:  Yes. (Pause.) To warn him. (Looks about room.)

LARRABEE:  Then it’s just as well you came up.

ALICE: I came to make sure — (Glances about.)

LARRABEE: Of what?

ALICE: That something else — is not going to be done besides — what they told me.

LARRABEE:  Ah — somebody told you that something else was going to be done?

ALICE:  Yes.

LARRABEE:  So! We’ve got another spy in the house.

ALICE:  You’re going to swindle and deceive him — I know that. Is there anything more? (Advancing to him a little.)

LARRABEE: What could you do if there was?

ALICE:  I could buy you off. Such men as you are always open to sale.

LARABEE:  How much would you give?

ALICE:  The genuine package — the real ones. All the proofs — everything

LARRABEE (advancing above table, quietly but with quick interest): Have you got it with you?

ALICE:  No, but I can get it.

LARRABEE:  Oh — (Going to table. Slightly disappointed.) So you’ll do all that for this man? You think he’s your friend, I suppose?

ALICE:  I haven’t thought of it.

LARRABEE:  Look what he’s doing now. Coming here to buy those things off me.

ALICE:  They’re false. They’re counterfeit.

LARRABEE:  He thinks they’re genuine, doesn’t he? He’d hardly come here to buy them if he didn’t.

ALICE:  He may ask my permission still.

LARRABEE:  Ha! (Sneer—turning away.) He won’t get the chance.

ALICE (suspicious again): Won’t get the chance. Then there is something else.

LARRABEE:  Something else! (Turning to her.) Why, you see me here myself, don’t you? I’m going to talk to him on a little business. How could I do him any harm?

ALICE (advancing): Where are those men who came up here?

LARRABEE:  What men?

ALICE:  Three villainous looking men — I saw them go in at the street door —

LARRABEE:  Oh — those men. They went up the other stairway. (Pointing over shoulder.) You can see them in the next building — if you look out of this window. (Indicating window.)

(ALICE at once goes rapidly toward the window and making a hesitating pause near table as she sees LARRABEE crossing above her but moving on again quickly LARRABEE at same time crosses well up stage, keeping his eye on ALICE as she moves towards the window and tries to look out, but finding she cannot she turns at once to LARRABEE. He is standing near door.)

(Music. Melodramatic. Danger. Keep down. pp Agitato)

(Hold this an instant where they stand looking at one another, ALICE beginning to see she has been trapped.)

ALICE (starting toward door): I’ll look in the passage-way, if you please.

LARRABEE (taking one step down before door, quietly): Yes — but I don’t please.

ALICE (stops before him): You wouldn’t dare to keep me here.

LARRABEE:  I might dare — but I won’t. You’d be in the way.

ALICE: Where are those men?

LARRABEE:  Stay where you are and you’ll see them very soon.

(LARRABEE goes to door and blows whistle as quietly as possible.  Short pause. No footsteps heard, as the men move noiselessly.  Enter CRAIGIN, McTAGUE and LEARY, appearing suddenly noiselessly. They stand looking in some astonishment at ALICE.)

(Music stops.)

ALICE:  I knew it. (Moving back a step, seeing from this that they are going to attack Holmes.) Ah! (Under breath. After pause she turns and hurries to window, trying to look out or give an alarm. Then runs to cupboard door. LARRABEE watching her movements. Desperately.) You’re going to do him some harm.

LARRABEE:  Oh no, it’s only a little joke — at his expense. 

ALICE (moving toward him a little): You wanted the letters, the package I had in the safe! I’ll get it for you. Let me go and I’ll bring it here — or whatever you tell me — (LARRABEE sneers meaningly.) 
I’ll give you my word not to say anything to anyone — not to him — not to the policemen—not anyone!

LARRABEE (without moving): You needn’t take the trouble to get it — but you can tell me where it is — and you’ll have to be quick about it too—

ALICE:  Yes — if you’ll promise not to go on with this.

LARRABEE:  Of course! That’s understood.

ALICE (excitedly): You promise!

LARRABEE:  Certainly I promise. Now where is it?

ALICE:  Just outside my bedroom window — just outside on the left, fastened between the shutter and the wall — you can easily find it.

LARRABEE:  Yes — I can easily find it.

ALICE:  Now tell them — tell them to go.

LARRABEE (going down to men): Tie her up so she can’t make a noise. Keep her out there until we have Holmes in here, and then let O’Hagan keep her in his cab. She mustn’t get back to the house 
—not till I’ve been there.

(ALICE listens dazed, astonished.)

CRAIGIN (speaks low): Go an’ get a hold, Leary. Hand me a piece of that rope.

(McTAGUE brings rope from under his coat. Business of getting rapidly ready to gag and tie ALICE. Much time must not be spent on this; quick, business-like. McTAGUE takes handkerchief from pocket to use as gag.)

LARRABEE (taking a step or two down before ALICE so as to attract her attention front): Now then, my pretty bird— (ALICEbegins to move back in alarm and looking at LARRABEE.)

ALICE:  You said — you said if I told you —

LARRABEE:  Well — we haven’t done him any harm yet, have we?

(LEARY is moving quietly round behind her.)

ALICE:  Then send them away.

LARRABEE:  Certainly. Go away now, boys, there’s no more work for you to-night.

ALICE (looking at them terrified): They don’t obey you. They are — 

(LEARY seizes her. She screams and resists, but CRAIGIN and McTAGUE come at once, so that she is quickly subdued and gagged with handkerchief, etc., and her hands tied. As the Struggle takes place, men work up to near cupboard with ALICE. LARRABEE also eagerly watching them tie ALICE up. This is not  prolonged more than is absolutely necessary. Just as they finish, a shrill whistle is heard in distance outside at back, as if from street far below. All stop — listening —picture.)

CRAIGIN: Now out of the door with her — (Starting to door)

(The prolonged shrill whistle is heard again)

LARRABEE:  By God, he’s here.

CRAIGIN:  What!

LARRABEE:  That’s Sid Prince, I put him on the watch.

CRAIGIN:  We won’t have time to get her out.

LARRABEE: Shut her in there (Pointing to cupboard)

LEARY:  Yes — that’ll do.

CRAIGIN: In with her.

(LEARY and CRAIGIN, almost on the word, take her to cup board.  McTAGUE goes and keeps watch at door.)

(As he holds ALICE.) Open that door! Open that door!

(LEARY goes and opens cupboard door. As LEARY leaves she breaks away from CRAIGIN and gets almost to right whenCRAIGIN catches her again. As he takes hold of her she faints, and he throws her into cupboard in a helpless condition. LEARYcloses cupboard door and they stand before it.)

LEARY (still at cupboard door. Others have turned so as to avoid suspicion if Holmes comes in on them): There ain’t no lock on this ‘ere door.

LARRABEE:  No lock!

LEARY:  No.

LARRABEE:  Drive something in.

CRAIGIN: Here, this knife. (Hands LEARY a large clasp-knife, opened ready.)

LARRABEE:  A knife won’t hold it.

CRAIGIN: Yes, it will. Drive it in strong.

(LEARY drives blade in door frame with all his force)

LEARY:  ‘E’ll have to find us ‘ere.

CRAIGIN:  Yes — and he won’t either — we’ll go on and do ‘im up. (Going to door)

LARRABEE:  No, you won’t.

(Men stop. Pause.)

I’ll see him first, if you please.

(CRAIGIN and LARRABEE facing each other savagely an instant well down stage.)

McTAGUE:  Them was orders, Craigin.

LEARY:  So it was.

McTAGUE:  There might be time to get back in the passage. (He listens at door and cautiously looks off — turns back into room.) They ain’t got up one flight yet.

LEARY:  Quick then. (Moving toward door.)

(McTAGUE, LEARY and CRAIGIN go out. Door does not close. LARRABEE glances at door anxiously. Makes a quick dash up to it, and forces knife in with all his strength. Quickly pulls off coat and hat, throwing them on boxes, and sits quietly chewing an end of cigar. Enter SHERLOCK HOLMES at door, walking easily as though on some ordinary business.)