Sherlock Holmes: A Drama in Four Acts Part 9

Sherlock Holmes 
A Drama in Four Acts

ACT 3 (Continued..)

[Last dialogue - Enter SHERLOCK HOLMES at door, walking easily as though on some ordinary business. ]

HOLMES (seeing the apartment with a glance as he enters and Pausing, disappointed. His little laugh, with no smile): How the devil is it that you crooks always manage to hit on the same places for your scoundrelly business? (Chuckles of amusement.) Well! I certainly thought, after all this driving about in a closed cab you’d show me something new.

LARRABEE (looking up nonchalantly): Seen it before, have you? 

HOLMES (standing still): Well, I should think so! (Moves easily about recalling dear old times.) I nabbed a friend of yours in this place while he was trying to drop himself out of that window. Ned Colvin, the cracksman.

LARRABEE: Colvin. I never heard of him before.

HOLMES: No? Ha! ha! Well, you certainly never heard of him after. A brace of counterfeiters used these regal chambers in the spring of ‘90. One of them hid in the cupboard. We pulled him out by the heels.

LARRABEE (trying to get in on the nonchalance): Ah! Did you? And the other?

HOLMES:  The other? He was more fortunate.

LARRABEE:  Ah — he got away, I suppose.

HOLMES: Yes, he got away. We took his remains out through that door to the street. (Indicating door.)

LARRABEE: Quite interesting. (Drawled a little — looks at end of his cigar.)

(HOLMES is looking about.)

Times have changed since then.

(HOLMES darts a lightning glance at LARRABEE. Instantly easy again and glancing about as before.)

HOLMES (dropping down near LARRABEE): So they have, Mr. Larrabee — so they have. (A little confidentially.) Then it was only cracksmen, counterfeiters, and petty swindlers of various kinds — Now — (Pause, looking at LARRABEE.)

(LARRABEE turns and looks at HOLMES.)

LARRABEE:  Well? What now?

HOLMES:  Well — (Mysteriously.) Between you and me, Larrabee — we’ve heard some not altogether agreeable rumors; rumours of some pretty shady work not far from here — a murder or two of a very peculiar kind — and I’ve always had a suspicion — (Stops. Sniffs very delicately. Motionless pause. Nods ominously to LARRABEE, who is looking about, and gets over towards window. When within reach he runs his hand lightly along the frame) My surmise was correct — it is.

LARRABEE (turning to HOLMES) It is what?

HOLMES: Caulked.

LARRABEE: What does that signify to us?

HOLMES: Nothing to us, Mr. Larrabee, nothing to us, but it might signify a good deal to some poor devil who’s been caught in this trap.

LARRABEE:  Well if it’s nothing to us suppose we leave it and get to business. My time is limited.

HOLMES: Quite so, of course. I should have realized that reflections could not possibly appeal to you. But it so happens I take a deep interest in anything that pertains to what are known as the criminal classes and this same interest makes me rather curious to know —(looking straight at LARRABEE, who looks up at him) — how you happened to select such a singularly gruesome place for an ordinary business transaction.

LARRABEE (looking at HOLMES across the table): I selected this places Mr. Holmes, because I thought you might not be disposed to take such liberties here as you practised in my own house last night.

HOLMES: Quite so, quite so. (Looks innocently at LARRABEE.) But why not?

(They look at one another an instant.)

LARRABEE: (significantly): You might not feel quite so much at home.

HOLMES: Oh — ha! (A little laugh.) You’ve made a singular miscalculation. I feel perfectly at home, Mr. Larrabee! Perfectly! (He seats himself at table in languid and leisurely manner, takes cigar from pocket and lights it.)

LARRABEE (looks at him an instant): Well, I’m very glad to hear it.

(LARRABEE now takes out the counterfeit package of papers, etc., and tosses it on the table before them. HOLMES looks on floor slightly by light of match, unobserved by LARRABEE.)

Here is the little packet which is the object of this meeting. (He glances at HOLMES to see effect of its production.)

(HOLMES looks at it calmly as he smokes.)

I haven’t opened it yet, but Miss Faulkner tells me everything is there.

HOLMES: Then there is no need of opening it, Mr. Larrabee.

LARRABEE: Oh, well — I want to see you satisfied.

HOLMES: That is precisely the condition in which you now behold me. Miss Faulkner is a truthful young lady. Her word is sufficient.

LARRABEE: Very well. Now what shall we say, Mr. Holmes? (Pause.) Of course, we want a pretty large price for this. Miss Faulkner is giving up everything.  She would not be satisfied unless the result justified it.

HOLMES (pointedly): Suppose, Mr. Larrabee, that as Miss Faulkner knows nothing whatever about this affair, we omit her name from the discussion. 

(Slight pause of two seconds.)

LARRABEE:  Who told you she doesn’t know?

HOLMES:  You did. Every look, tone, gesture — everything you have said and done since I have been in this room has informed me that she has never consented to this transaction. It is a little speculation of your own. (Tapping his fingers on end of table.)

LARRABEE:  Ha! (Sneer.) I suppose you think you can read me like a book.

HOLMES: No — like a primer.

LARRABEE:  Well, let that pass. How much’ll you give?

HOLMES: A thousand pounds.

LARRABEE:  I couldn’t take it.

HOLMES: What do you ask?

LARRABEE:  Five thousand.

HOLMES (shakes head): I couldn’t give it.

LARRABEE:  Very well — (Rises.) We’ve had all this trouble for nothing. (As if about to put up the packet.)

HOLMES (leaning back in chair and remonstrating): Oh — don’t say that, Mr. Larrabee! To me the occasion has been doubly interesting. I have not only had the pleasure of meeting you again but I have also availed myself of the opportunity of making observations regarding this place which may not come amiss.

(LARRABEE looks at HOLMES contemptuously. He places chair under table.)

LARRABEE:  Why, I’ve been offered four thousand for this little—

HOLMES: Why didn’t you take it?

LARRABEE:  Because I intend to get more.

HOLMES:  That’s too bad.

LARRABEE:  If they offered four thousand they’ll give five.

HOLMES:  They won’t give anything.

LARRABEE:  Why not?

HOLMES:  They’ve turned the case over to me.

LARRABEE:  Will you give three thousand?

HOLMES (rising): Mr. Larrabee, strange as it may appear, my time is limited as well as yours. I have brought with me the sum of One thousand pounds, which is all that I wish to pay. If it is your desire to sell at this figure kindly appraise me of the fact at once. If not, permit me to wish you a very good evening.

(Pause. LARRABEE looks at him.)

LARRABEE (after the pause glances nervously round once, fearing he heard something): Go on! (Tosses packet on table.) You can have them. It’s too small a matter to haggle over.

(HOLMES reseats himself at once, back of table, and takes wallet from his pocket, from which he produces a bunch of bank notes. LARRABEE stands watching him with glittering eye. HOLMES counts out ten one hundred pound notes and lays the remainder of the notes on the table with elbow on them, while he counts the first over again.)

(Sneeringly.) Oh—I thought you said you had brought just a thousand.

HOLMES (not looking up; counting the notes): I did. This is it.

LARRABEE:  You brought a trifle more, I see.

HOLMES (counting notes): Quite so. I didn’t say I hadn’t brought any more.

LARRABEE: Ha! (Sneers.) You can do your little tricks when it comes to it, can’t you?

HOLMES: It depends on who I’m dealing with. (Hands LARRABEE one thousand pounds in notes.)

(LARRABEE takes money and keeps a close watch at same time on the remaining pile of notes lying at HOLMES’ left.HOLMES, after handing the notes to LARRABEE, lays cigar he was smoking on the table, picks up packet which he puts in his pocket with his right hand, and is almost at the same time reaching with his left hand for the notes he placed upon the table whenLARRABEE makes a Sudden lunge and snatches the pile of bank notes, jumping back On the instant. HOLMES springs to his feet at the same time.)

Now I’ve got you where I want you, Jim Larrabee! You’ve been so cunning and so cautious and so wise, we couldn’t find a thing to hold you for — but this little slip will get you in for robbery —

LARRABEE:  Oh! You’ll have me in, will you? (Short sneering laugh.) What are your views about being able to get away from here yourself?

HOLMES: I do not anticipate any particular difficulty. 

LARRABEE (significantly): Perhaps you’ll change your mind about that.

HOLMES: Whether I change my mind or not, I certainly shall leave this place, and your arrest will shortly follow.

LARRABEE:  My arrest? Ha, ha! Robbery, eh — Why, even if you got away from here you haven’t got a witness. Not a witness to your name.

HOLMES (slowly backing, keeping his eyes sharply on LARRABEE as he does so): I’m not so sure of that, Mr. Larrabee! — Do you usually fasten that door with a knife? (Pointing toward door with left arm and hand, but eyes on LARRABEE.)

(LARRABEE turns front as if bewildered. Tableau an instant. Very faint moan from within cupboard. HOLMES listens motionless an instant, then makes quick dash to door and seizing knife wrenches it out and flings it on the floor. LARRABEEseeing HOLMES start toward door of cupboard springs up to head him off)

LARRABEE:  Come away from that door.

(But HOLMES has the door torn open and ALICE FAULKNER out before LARRABEE gets near.)

HOLMES: Stand back! (Turning to LARRABEE, supporting ALICE at same time.) You contemptible scoundrel! What does this mean!

LARRABEE:  I’ll show you what it means cursed quick. (Taking a step or two, blows the little silver whistle attached to his watch chain.)

HOLMES (untying ALICE quickly) I’m afraid you’re badly hurt Miss Faulkner.

(Enter CRAIGIN. He stands there a moment near door, watching HOLMES. He makes a signal with hand to others outside door and  then moves noiselessly. McTAGUE enters noiselessly, and remains a little behind CRAIGIN below door. ALICE shakes her head quickly, thinking of what she sees, and tries to call HOLMES attention to CRAIGIN and McTAGUE.)

ALICE: No! — Mr. Holmes. (Pointing to CRAIGIN and McTAGUE.)

HOLMES (glances round): Ah, Craigin — delighted to see you. 

(CRAIGIN gives slight start.)

And you too McTague. I infer from your presence here at this particular juncture that I am not dealing with Mr. Larrabee alone.

LARRABEE: Your inference is quite correct, Mr. Holmes.

HOLMES: It is not difficult to imagine who is at the bottom of such a conspiracy as this.

(CRAIGIN begins to steal across noiselessly. McTAGUE remains before door, HOLMES turns to ALICE again.)

I hope you’re beginning to feel a little more yourself, Miss Faulkner—because we shall leave here very soon.

ALICE (who has been shrinking from the sight of CRAIGIN and McTAGUE): Oh yes — do let us go, Mr. Holmes.

CRAIGIN (low, deep voice, intense): You’ll ‘ave to wait a bit, Mr. ‘Olmes. We ‘ave a little matter of business we’d like to talk over.

                    To be Continued...........