Sherlock Holmes: A Drama in Four Acts Part 7

Sherlock Holmes  

A Drama in Four Acts

ACT II 
In two scenes with a Dark Change 

(FORMAN coming rapidly on is covered with black coal stains, and his clothing otherwise stained. He has a bad bruise on forehead. But he must not be made to look grotesque. There must be no suspicion of comedy about his entrance. Also he must not be torn, as BILLY is later in the scene. HOLMES just above table stops taking off his dressing gown, slips it back on shoulders again.)

FORMAN (to HOLMES in an entirely matter of fact tone): Nothing more last night, sir. After you left, Prince came in, they made a start for her room to get the package away, but I gave the three knocks with an axe on the floor beams as you directed, and they didn’t go any farther. This morning, a little after nine— 

HOLMES: One moment.

FORMAN: Yes, sir?

HOLMES (quietly turns to TÉRÉSE): Mademoiselle — step into that room and rest yourself. (Indicating bedroom door.)

TÉRÉSE (who has been deeply interested in FORMAN’S report):  Ah! (Shaking head.) I am not tired, Monsieur.

HOLMES: Step in and walk about, then. I’ll let you know when you are required.

TÉRÉSE (after an instant’s pause sees it): Oui, Monsieur. (Goes out.)

(HOLMES goes over and quickly closes the door after her — he then turns to WATSON, but remains at the door with right ear alert to catch any sound from within.)

HOLMES: Take a look at his head, Watson. (Listens at door.)

(WATSON at once goes to FORMAN.)

FORMAN: It’s nothing at all.

HOLMES: Take a look at his head, Watson.

WATSON: An ugly bruise, but not dangerous. (Examining head.)

(WATSON goes quickly and stands near end of chesterfield facing around to FORMAN.)

HOLMES:  Very well … At a little after nine, you say — (HOLMES has attention on door, where TÉRÉSE went off while listening to FORMAN —but not in such a marked way as to take the attention off from what he says, and after a few seconds sits on chesterfield)

FORMAN:  Yes, sir! (Coming down a little.) This morning a little after nine, Larrabee and his wife drove away and she returned about eleven without him. A little later, old Leuftner came and the two went to work in the library. I got a look at them from the outside and found they were making up a counterfeit of the Package we’re working for! You’ll have to watch for some sharp trick, sir.

HOLMES: They’ll have to watch for the trick, my dear Forman.  And Larrabee what of him?

FORMAN: He came back a little after three

HOLMES: How did he seem?

FORMAN: Under great excitement, sir. 

HOLMES: Any marked resentment towards you?

FORMAN: I think there was, sir — though he tried not to show it.

HOLMES: He has consulted some one outside. Was the Larrabee woman’s behaviour different also?

FORMAN:  Now I come to think of it, she gave me an ugly look as she came in.

HOLMES:  Ah, an ugly look. She was present at the consultation. They were advised to get you out of the way. He sent you into the cellar on some pretext. You were attacked in the dark by two men — possibly three — and received a bad blow from a sand club.  You managed to strike down one of your assailants with a stone or piece of timber and escaped from the others in the dark crawling out through a coal grating.

FORMAN That’s what took place sir.

HOLMES: They’ve taken in a partner, and a dangerous one at that. He not only directed this conspiracy against you, but he advised the making of the counterfeit package as well. Within a very short time I shall receive an offer from Larrabee to sell the package of letters. He will indicate that Miss Faulkner changed her mind, and has concluded to get what she can for them.  He will desire to meet me on the subject — and will then endeavour to sell me his bogus package for a large sum of money.  After that — 

(Enter BILLY with a letter)

BILLY:  Letter, sir! Most important letter, sir! (After giving HOLMES letter, he stands waiting.)

HOLMES: Unless I am greatly mistaken — the said communication is at hand. (Lightly waves letter across before face once getting the scent.) It is. Read it, Watson, there’s a good fellow, my eyes — (With a motion across eyes. Half smile.) You know, cocaine — and all those things you like so much.

(BILLY goes with letter to WATSON. WATSON takes letter and up to lamp.)

WATSON (opens letter and reads): “Dear Sir.”

(After WATSON is at lamp, FORMAN waits.)

HOLMES: Who — thus — addresses me? (Slides further on to chesterfield, supporting head on pillows.)

WATSON (glances at signature): “James Larrabee.”

HOLMES (whimsically): What a surprise! And what has James to say this evening?

WATSON: “Dear Sir.”

HOLMES: I hope he won’t say that again.

WATSON: “I have the honour to inform you that Miss Faulkner has changed her mind regarding the letters, etc., which you wish to obtain, and has decided to dispose of them for a monetary consideration. She has placed them in my hands for this purpose, and if you are in a position to offer a good round sum, and to pay it down at once in cash, the entire lot is yours. If you wish to negotiate, however, it must be to-night, at the house of a friend of mine, in the city. At eleven o’clock you will be at the Guards’ Monument at the foot of Waterloo Place. You will see a cab with wooden shutters to the windows. Enter it and the driver will bring you to my friend’s house. If you have the cab followed, or try any other underhand trick, you won’t get what you want. Let me know your decision. Yours truly, James Larrabee.”

(HOLMES during the reading of the letter begins to write something in a perfectly leisurely way. The light of the fire is upon him, shining across the room — on his left — as he writes.)

HOLMES: Now see if I have the points. To-night, eleven o’clock — Guards’ Monument — cab with wooden shutters. No one to come with me. No one to follow cab — or I don’t get what I want.

WATSON: Quite right.

HOLMES: Ah!

WATSON: But this cab with the wooden shutters. (Coming down and placing letter on table.)

HOLMES: A little device to keep me from seeing where I am driven. Billy!

BILLY (going to HOLMES at once): Yes, sir.

HOLMES (reaching out letter to BILLY back of him without looking): Who brought it?

BILLY:  It was a woman, sir.

HOLMES (slight dead stop as he is handing letter): Ah — old young? (He does not look round for these questions, but faces the was front or nearly so)

BILLY: Werry old sir.

HOLMES: In a cab?

BILLY: Yes, sir.

HOLMES: Seen the driver before?

BILLY: Yes sir — but I cant think where.

HOLMES (rising): Hand this over to the old lady — apologize for the delay and look at the driver again.

BILLY (takes letter): Yes sir. (Goes out)

WATSON: My dear Holmes — you did not say you would go? 

HOLMES Certainly I did.

WATSON But it is the counterfeit.

HOLMES (moves towards bedroom door) The counterfeit is what I want.

WATSON:  Why so?

HOLMES (turning to WATSON an instant) Because with it I shall obtain the original (Turns and speaks off at door.) Mademoiselle! (Turns back)

WATSON: But this fellow means mischief.

(Enter TÉRESE She comes into and stands a little way inside the room)

HOLMES (facing WATSON — touching himself lightly): This fellow means the same.

(As HOLMES turns away to TÉRÉSE, WATSON crosses and stands with back to fire)

(To TÉRÉSE) Be so good Mademoiselle as to listen to every word. To-night at twelve o’clock I meet Mr. Larrabee and purchase from him the false bundle of letters to which you just now heard us refer, as you were listening at the keyhole of the door.

TÉRÉSE (slightly confused but staring blankly) Oui, Monsieur. 

HOLMES: I wish Miss Faulkner to know at once that I propose to buy this package to night.

TÉRÉSE: I will tell her, Monsieur.

HOLMES:  That is my wish. But do not tell her that I know this packet and its contents to be counterfeit. She is to suppose that I think I am buying the genuine.

TÉRÉSE:  Oui, Monsieur, je comprends. When you purchase you think you have the real.

HOLMES: Precisely. (Motions her up to door and moving towards door with her.) One thing more. Tomorrow evening I shall want you to accompany her to this place, here. Sir Edward Leighton and Count von Stalburg will be here to receive the package from me. However, you will receive further instructions as to this in the morning.

TÉRÉSE:  Oui, Monsieur. (Turns and goes out at once.)

HOLMES:  Forman.

FORMAN:  Yes, sir.

HOLMES:  Change to your beggar disguise No. 14 and go through every place in the Riverside District. Don’t stop till you get a clue to this new partner of the Larrabees. I must have that. (Turns away towards WATSON.) I must have that.

FORMAN: Very well, sir. (Just about to go.)

(Enter BILLY.)

BILLY:  If you please, sir, there’s a man a-waitin’ at the street door — and ‘e says ‘e must speak to Mr. Forman, sir, as quick as ‘e can.

(HOLMES — who was moving — stops suddenly and stands motionless — eyes front. Pause.)

(Music. Danger. Melodramatic. Very low. Agitato. B String.)

HOLMES (after a pause): We’d better have a look at that man, Billy, show him up.

BILLY:  ‘E can’t come up, sir — ‘e’s a-watchin’ a man in the Street. ‘E says ‘e’s from Scotland Yard.

FORMAN (going toward door): I’d better see what it is, sir.

HOLMES: No!

(FORMAN stops. Pause. Music heard throughout this pause, but without swelling forte in the least. HOLMES stands motionless a moment)

Well — (a motion indicating FORMAN to go) — take a look at first. Be ready for anything.

FORMAN: Trust me for that, sir. (Goes out.)

HOLMES: Billy, see what he does.

BILLY: Yes, sir.

(HOLMES stands an instant thinking)

WATSON: This is becoming interesting.

(HOLMES does not reply He goes up to near door and listens then moves to window and glances down to street then turns goes down to table)

Look here Holmes you’ve been so kind as to give me a half look into this case — 

HOLMES (looking up at him): What case?

WATSON: This strange case of — Miss — 

HOLMES: Quite so. One moment my dear fellow (Rings bell.)

(After slight wait enter BILLY )

Mr. Forman—is he there still?

BILLY:  No, sir — ’e’s gone. (Second’s pause.)

HOLMES: That’s all.

BILLY: Yes sir. Thank you sir. (Goes out)

(Music stops)

HOLMES: As you were saying, Watson. (Eyes front.) strange case — of — (Stops but does not change position.  As if listening or thinking)

WATSON: Of Miss Faulkner.

HOLMES (abandoning further anxiety and giving attention to WATSON): Precisely. This strange case of Miss Faulkner. (Eyes down an instant as he recalls it)

WATSON: You’ve given me some idea of it. Now don’t you it would be only fair to let me have the rest?

(HOLMES looks at him)

HOLMES:  What shall I tell you?

WATSON: Tell me what you propose to do with that counterfeit  package — which you are going to risk your life to obtain.

(HOLMES looks at WATSON an instant before speaking.)

HOLMES: I intend, with the aid of the counterfeit, to make her willingly hand me the genuine. I shall accomplish this by a piece of trickery and deceit of which I am heartily ashamed — and which I would never have undertaken if I — if I had known her — as I do now (Looks to the front absently.) It’s too bad. She’s — she’s rather a nice girl, Watson. (Goes over to mantel and gets a pipe.)

WATSON (following HOLMES with his eyes): Nice girl, is she?

(HOLMES nods “Yes” to WATSON. Brief pause. He turns with pipe in hands and glances towards WATSON, then down.)

Then you think that possibly — 

(Enter BILLY quickly.)

BILLY:  I beg pardon, sir, Mr. Forman’s just sent over from the chemist’s on the corner to say ‘is ‘ead is a-painin’ ‘im a bit, an’ would Dr. Watson —

(WATSON, on hearing his name, turns and looks in direction of BILLY)

—kindly step over and get ‘im something to put on it.

WATSON (moving at once towards door): Yes — certainly — I’ll go at once. (Picking up hat off chair.) That’s singular. (Stands puzzled.) It didn’t look like anything serious. (At door.) I’ll be back in a minute, Holmes. (Goes out.)

(HOLMES says nothing.)

HOLMES: Billy.

BILLY:  Yes, sir.

HOLMES:  Who brought that message from Forman?

BILLY:  Boy from the chemist’s, sir.

HOLMES:  Yes, of course, but which boy?

BILLY:  Must-a-bin a new one, sir — I ain’t never seen ‘im before.

(Music. Danger. Melodramatic. Very low. Agitato.)

HOLMES: Quick, Billy, run down and look after the doctor. If the boy’s gone and there’s a man with him it means mischief. Let me know, quick. Don’t stop to come up, ring the door bell. I’ll hear it. Ring it loud. Quick now.

BILLY:  Yes, sir. (Goes out quickly.)

(HOLMES waits motionless a moment, listening.)

(Music heard very faintly.)

(HOLMES moves quickly towards door. When half-way to the door he stops suddenly, listening; then begins to glide backward toward table, stops and listens — eyes to the front; turns towards door listening. Pipe in left hand — waits — sees pipe in hand — picks up match — lights pipe, listening, and suddenly shouts of warning from BILLY — turns — at the same time picking up revolver from off table and puts in pocket of dressing-gown, with his hand clasping it. HOLMES at once assumes easy attitude, but keeps eyes on door. Enter MORIARTY. He walks in at door very quietly and deliberately. Stops just within doorway, and looks fixedly at HOLMES, then moves forward a little way. His right hand behind his back. As MORIARTY moves forward,HOLMES makes slight motion for the purpose of keeping him covered with revolver in his pocket. MORIARTY, seeing whatHOLMES is doing, stops.)

MORIARTY (very quiet low voice): It is a dangerous habit to finger loaded firearms in the pocket of one’s dressing-gown.

HOLMES: You’ll be taken from here to the hospital if you keep that hand behind you.

(After slight pause MORIARTY slowly takes his hand from behind his back and holds it with the other in front of him.)

In that case, the table will do quite as well. (Places his revolver on the table.)

MORIARTY:  You evidently don’t know me.

HOLMES (takes pipe out of mouth, holding it. With very slight motion toward revolver): I think it quite evident that I do. Please take a chair, Professor. (Indicating arm-chair.) I can spare five minutes — if you have anything to say.

(Very slight pause—then MORIARTY moves his right hand as if to take something from inside his coat. Stops instantly onHOLMES covering him with revolver, keeping hand exactly where it was stopping.)

What were you about to do?

MORIARTY:  Look at my watch.

HOLMES: I’ll tell you when the five minutes is up.

(Slight pause. MORIARTY comes slowly forward. He advances to back of arm-chair. Stands motionless there an instant, his eyes on HOLMES. He then takes off his hat, and stoops slowly, putting it on floor, eyeing HOLMES the while. He then moves down a little to right of chair, by its side. HOLMES now places revolver on table, but before he has quite let go of it, MORIARTY raises his right hand, whereupon HOLMES quietly takes the revolver back and holds it at his side. MORIARTY has stopped with right hand near his throat, seeing HOLMES’ business with revolver. He now slowly pulls away a woolen muffler from his throat and stands again with hands down before him. HOLMES’ forefinger motionless on table. MORIARTY moves a little in front of chair. This movement is only a step or two. As he makes it HOLMES moves simultaneously on the other side of the table so that he keeps the revolver between them on the table. That is the object of this business.)

MORIARTY: All that I have to say has already crossed your mind.

HOLMES: My answer thereto has already crossed yours.

MORIARTY:  It is your intention to pursue this case against me?

HOLMES: That is my intention to the very end.

MORIARTY:  I regret this — not so much on my own account — but on yours.

HOLMES: I share your regrets, Professor, but solely because of the rather uncomfortable position it will cause you to occupy.

MORIARTY:  May I inquire to what position you are pleased to allude, Mr. Holmes?

(HOLMES motions a man being hanged with his left hand — slight Pause. A tremor of passion. MORIARTY slowly advances towards HOLMES. He stops instantly as HOLMES’ hand goes to his revolver, having only approached him a step or two.)

And have you the faintest idea that you would be permitted to live to see the day?

HOLMES: As to that, I do not particularly care, so that I might bring you to see it.

(MORIARTY makes a sudden impulsive start towards HOLMES, but stops on being covered with revolver. He has now come close to the table on the other side of HOLMES. This tableau is held briefly.)

MORIARTY (passionately but in a low tone): You will never bring me to see it. You will find — (He stops, recollecting himself as HOLMES looks at him — changes to quieter tone.) Ah! you are a bold man Mr. Holmes to insinuate such a thing to my face — (turning towards front) — but it is the boldness born of ignorance. (Turning still further away from HOLMES in order to get his back to him and after doing so suddenly raising his right hand to breast he is again stopped with hand close to pocket by hearing the noise of HOLMES’S revolver behind him. He holds that position for a moment then passes the matter off by feeling muffler as if adjusting it. He mutters to himself)  
You’ll never bring me to see it, you’ll never bring me to see it (Then begins to move in front of table still keeping his back towardsHOLMES. Business as he moves forward of stopping suddenly on hearing the noise of revolver sliding along table then when in front of table slowly turns so that he brings his hands into view of HOLMES then a slight salute with hand and bow and back slowly with dignity into chair) 

(Business of HOLMES seating himself on stool opposite MORIARTY, revolver business and coming motionless)

(After HOLMES’S business.) I tell you it is the boldness born of  ignorance. Do you think that I would be here if I had not made the streets quite safe in every respect?

HOLMES (shaking head): Oh no! I could never so grossly overestimate your courage as that. 

MORIARTY: Do you imagine that your friend the doctor, and your man Forman will soon return?

HOLMES: Possibly not.

MORIARTY: So it leaves us quite alone — doesn’t it, Mr. Holmes — quite alone — so that we can talk the matter over quietly and not be disturbed.  In the first place I wish to call your attention to a few memoranda which I have jotted down — (suddenly put both hands to breast pocket) — which you will find — 

HOLMES: Look out! Take your hands away.

(Music: Danger pp)

(MORIARTY again stopped with his hands at breast pocket ) 

Get your hands down.

(MORIARTY does not lower his hands at first request.)

A little further away from the memorandum book you are talking about.

MORIARTY (lowers hands to his lap. Slight pause, raising hands again slowly as he speaks): Why, I was merely about to —

HOLMES: Well, merely don’t do it.

MORIARTY (remonstratingly—his hands still up near breast): But I would like to show you a —

HOLMES: I don’t want to see it.

MORIARTY: But if you will allow me —

HOLMES: I don’t care for it at all. I don’t require any notebooks. If you want it so badly we’ll have someone get it for you.

(MORIARTY slowly lowers hands again.)

(Rings bell on table with left hand.) I always like to save my guests unnecessary trouble.

MORIARTY (after quite a pause): I observe that your boy does not answer the bell.

HOLMES: No. But I have an idea that he will before long.

MORIARTY (leaning towards HOLMES and speaking with subdued rage and significance): It may possibly be longer than you think, Mr. Holmes.

HOLMES (intensely): What! That boy!

MORIARTY (hissing at HOLMES): Yes, your boy.

(Hold the tableau for a moment, the two men scowling at each other. HOLMES slowly reaching left hand out to ring bell again.MORIARTY begins to raise right hand slowly towards breast pocket, keeping it concealed beneath his muffler as far as possible. On slight motion of HOLMES’ left hand, he lowers it again, giving up the attempt this time.)

HOLMES: At least we will try the bell once more, Professor. (Rings bell.)

(Short wait.)

MORIARTY (after pause): Doesn’t it occur to you that he may Possibly have been detained, Mr. Holmes?

HOLMES: It does. But I also observe that you are in very much the same predicament. (Pause.)

(HOLMES rings bell for the third time. Noise on stairway outside. Enter BILLY with part of his coat, and with sleeves of shirt and waistcoat badly torn)

(Music stops)

BILLY (up near door): I beg pardon, sir—someone tried to ‘old me sir! (Panting for breath)

HOLMES: It is quite evident however that he failed to do so.

BILLY: Yes sir — ‘e’s got my coat sir but ‘e ‘asn't got me!

HOLMES: Billy!

BILLY (cheerfully): Yes sir (Still out of breath)

HOLMES: The gentleman I am pointing out to you with this six-shooter desires to have us get something out of his left hand coat pocket.

(MORIARTY gives a very slight start or movement of right hand to  breast pocket, getting it almost to his pocket, then recollecting himself, seeing that HOLMES has got him covered)

Ah, I thought so. Left-hand coat pocket. As he is not feeling quite himself to-day, and the exertion might prove injurious, suppose you attend to it.

BILLY: Yes sir (He goes quickly to MORIARTY puts hand in his pocket and draws out a bull dog revolver) Is this it sir?

HOLMES: It has the general outline of being it. Quite so. Put it on the table.

(MORIARTY makes a grab for it)

Not there Billy. Look out. Push it a little further this way.

(BILLY does so placing it so that it is within easy reach of HOLMES.)

HOLMES: That’s more like it.

BILLY: Shall I see if he’s got another sir?

HOLMES: Why, Billy, you surprise me, after the gentleman has taken the trouble to inform you that he hasn’t.

BILLY: When sir?

HOLMES: When he made a snatch for this one. Now that we have your little memorandum book, Professor, do you think of anything else you’d like before Billy goes?

(MORIARTY does not reply.)

Any little thing that you’ve got, that you want? No! Ah, I am sorry that’s all, Billy.

(pause. MORIARTY motionless, eyes on HOLMES. HOLMES puts his own revolver in his pocket quietly. MORIARTYremains motionless, his eyes on HOLMES, waiting for a chance.)

BILLY:  Thank you, sir. (Goes out.)

(HOLMES carelessly picks up MORIARTY’S weapon, turns it over in his hands a little below table for a moment, then tosses it back on table again—during which business MORIARTY looks front savagely.)

HOLMES (tapping revolver with pipe): Rather a rash project of yours Moriarty— even though you have made the street quite safe in every respect — to make use of that thing — so early in the evening and in this part of the town.

MORIARTY: Listen to me. On the 4th of January you crossed my path — on the 23rd you incommoded me. And now, at the close of April, I find myself placed in such a position through your continual interference that I am in positive danger of losing my liberty.

HOLMES: Have you any suggestion to make?

MORIARTY (head swaying from side to side): No! (Pause and look fiercely at HOLMES.) I have no suggestion to make. I have a fact to state. If you do not drop it at once your life is not worth that. (Snap of finger.)

HOLMES:  I shall be pleased to drop it — at ten o’clock to-morrow night.

MORIARTY: Why then?

HOLMES: Because at that hour, Moriarty … your life will not be worth that, (A snap of finger.) You will be under arrest.

MORIARTY: At that hour, Sherlock Holmes, your eyes will be closed in death.

(Both look at one another motionless an instant.)

HOLMES (rising as if rather bored): I am afraid, Professor, that in the pleasure of this conversation I am neglecting more important business. (Turns away to mantel and business of looking for match, etc.)

(MORIARTY rises slowly, picks up hat, keeping his eyes on HOLMES. Suddenly catches sight of revolver on table — pause — and putting hat on table.)

MORIARTY (nearing HOLMES and looking towards door): I came here this evening to see if peace could not be arranged between us.

HOLMES: Ah yes (Smiling pleasantly and pressing tobacco in pipe.) I saw that. That’s rather good.

MORIARTY (passionately): You have seen fit not only to reject my proposals, but to make insulting references coupled with threats of arrest.

HOLMES:  Quite so! Quite so! (Lights match and holds it to pipe)

MORIARTY (moving a little so as to be nearer table): Well (slyly picking up revolver) —you have been warned of your danger — you do not heed that warning—perhaps you will heed this!

(Making a sudden plunge and aiming at HOLMES’ head rapidly snaps the revolver in quick attempt to fire)

(HOLMES turns quietly toward him still holding match to pipe so that the last snap of hammer is directly in his face. Very slight pause on MORIARTY being unable to fire — and back up at same time boiling with rage.) 

HOLMES: Oh! ha! — here! (As if recollecting something. Tosses away match and feeling quickly in left pocket of dressing gown brings out some cartridges and tosses them carelessly on table towards MORIARTY.) I didn’t suppose you’d want to use that thing again, so I took all your cartridges out and put them in my pocket.  You’ll find them all there, Professor. (Reaches over and rings bell on table with right hand.)

(Enter BILLY)

Billy!

BILLY:  Yes, sir!

HOLMES: Show this gentleman nicely to the door.

BILLY: Yes sir! This way sir! (Standing within door)

(PROFESSOR MORIARTY looks at HOLMES a moment, then flings revolver down and across the table, clenches fist inHOLMES’ face, turns boiling with rage, picks hat up, and exits quickly at door, muttering aloud as he goes.)

HOLMES (after exit of MORIARTY): Billy! Come here!

BILLY:  Yes, sir! (BILLY comes quickly down.)

HOLMES: Billy! You’re a good boy!

BILLY:  Yes, sir! Thank you, sir! (Stands grinning up at HOLMES.)

(The lights go out suddenly.)

(No music at end of this Act.)

CURTAIN