"AT DEAD OF NIGHT"
The stage is in semi-darkness as Dick Trayle throws open the window
from outside, puts his knee on the sill, and falls carefully into
the drawing-room of Beeste Hall. He is dressed in a knickerbocker
suit with arrows on it (such as can always be borrowed from a
friend), and, to judge from the noises which he emits, is not in the
best of training. The lights go on suddenly; and, he should seize
this moment to stagger to the door and turn on the switch. This
done, he sinks into the nearest chair and closes his eyes.
If he has been dancing very late the night before he may drop into a
peaceful sleep; in which case the play ends here. Otherwise, no
sooner are his eyes closed than he opens them with a sudden start
and looks round in terror.
Dick (striking the keynote at once). No, no! Let me out--I am
innocent! (He gives a gasp of relief as he realizes the situation.)
Free! It is true, then! I have escaped! I dreamed that I was back in
prison again! (He shudders and helps himself to a large
whisky-and-soda, which he swallows at a gulp.) That's better! Now I
feel a new man--the man I was three years ago. Three years! It has
been a lifetime! (Pathetically to the audience.) Where is Millicent
now?
[He falls into a reverie, from which he is suddenly wakened by a
noise outside. He starts, and then creeps rapidly to the switch,
arriving there at the moment when the lights go out. Thence he goes
swiftly behind the window curtain. The lights go up again as Jasper
Beeste comes in with a revolver in one hand and a bull's-eye lantern
of apparently enormous candle-power in the other.
Jasper (in immaculate evening dress). I thought I heard a noise, so
I slipped on some old things hurriedly and came down. (Fingering his
perfectly-tied tie.) But there seems to be nobody here. (Turns
round suddenly to the window.) Ha, who's there? Hands up, blow
you--(He ought to swear rather badly here, really)--hands up, or I
fire!
[The stage is suddenly plunged into darkness, there is the noise of
a struggle, and the lights go on to reveal Jasper by the door
covering Dick with his revolver.
Jasper. Let's have a little light on you. (Brutally.) Now then, my
man, what have you got to say for yourself? Ha! An escaped convict,
eh?
Dick (to himself in amazement). Jasper Beeste!
Jasper. So you know my name?
Dick (in the tones of a man whose whole life has been blighted by
the machinations of a false friend). Yes, Jasper Beeste, I know your
name. For two years I have said it to myself every night, when I
prayed Heaven that I should meet you again.
Jasper. Again? (Uneasily.) We have met before?
Dick (slowly). We have met before, Jasper Beeste. Since then I have
lived a lifetime of misery. You may well fail to recognize me.
Enter Millicent Wilsdon--in a dressing-gown, with her hair over her
shoulders, if the county will stand it.
Millicent (to Jasper). I couldn't sleep--I heard a
noise--I--(suddenly seeing the other) Dick! (She trembles.)