_Ten minutes later._
_Discovered:_--CROSBY _standing by the door_ L. ROSALIE _still tied in
chair. Dummy supposed to represent_ WALES' _body, covered by a piece of
drapery, has been placed on chesterfield facing fireplace up_ C.
MRS. TRENT _seated below console table_ L. _end of chesterfield._
MISS EASTWOOD _seated at_ R. _end of console table_ R. _of chesterfield,
rattling book leaves._
STANDISH _standing over_ R. _below table._
MISS STANDISH _is sitting_ L.C.
HELEN--WILLIAM--_standing above table_ R.
MRS. CROSBY _seated_ L. _next to_ ROSALIE. MISS ERSKINE _seated next to_
MRS. CROSBY, _tapping the sides of the chair with her fingers._ MASON
_in front of fireplace_ C., _looking at_ WALES' _body. Eventually he
moves to_ MISS EASTWOOD _and takes the book away from her._
TRENT _walking up stage_ L. _as curtain rises. All lamps alight._
_The arrangement of the chairs for this act is detailed at the end of
the play._
MRS. TRENT (_rising and moving to_ CROSBY). Father, please let me go to
my room.
CROSBY. It is impossible, my dear.
TRENT. But, Mr. Crosby-- (_Comes down to_ CROSBY L.)
CROSBY (_interrupting him_). It's quite impossible.
(MRS. TRENT _goes to and sits in chair up_ L., _followed by_ TRENT, _who
stands_ R. _side of her._ WILLIAM _sits back of table_ R. HELEN _sits
above table_ R.)
STANDISH (_below table over_ R.). Mr. Crosby, I must--
CROSBY. Mr. Standish, I just refused to let my own daughter leave the
room.
(_Slight pause._)
STANDISH. But don't you see, sir--
CROSBY. My dear Standish, poor Wales was killed by someone in this room.
We are all of us under suspicion. Everyone of us. (_Slight movement
from all._) It's an awful thing to say--but one of us in this room
has killed Wales. Which one of us?
(_Knock on door down_ L.)
CROSBY. Yes.
POLLOCK (_outside_). The police are here, sir.
CROSBY. Who is it?
DONOHUE (_outside_). Inspector Donohue.
CROSBY. Pollock, give Inspector Donohue all the keys.
POLLOCK (_outside_). Yes, sir.
(_There is a pause._)
DONOHUE (_outside_). What is all this?
POLLOCK (_outside_). I don't know, I'm sure. I was told to lock the
door. I don't know what's been going on inside. Then I was told to call
you. This is the right key for that door.
(_The noise of the key being put into the lock can be heard, then
the click as it is turned in the lock, then the door is opened, and_
INSPECTOR DONOHUE _in plain clothes comes well on stage_ L. _He is seen
to be a clean-cut, intelligent-looking man of fifty. It later develops
that he is reserved and extremely quiet in manner. He speaks like a
gentleman and acts like one._ SERGEANT DUNN _enters also and drops below
door_ L.)
DONOHUE. Where's Mr. Wales?
CROSBY (L.C.). How did you know that Wales--
DONOHUE (L. _of_ CROSBY, _interrupting him_). I don't know anything. I
was thinking of something else. I was told that I was wanted here in a
hurry.
CROSBY. Queer your asking for Wales. Mr. Wales is dead; that's why I
sent for you.
DONOHUE. Wales is what?
CROSBY. Wales is dead.
MISS EASTWOOD (_still seated_ R.C.). Yes, and if you ask me--
DONOHUE. Just a minute, please, miss. (_He turns to_ CROSBY.) It must
have been very sudden. Why, only this afternoon I-- Did he ask you to
send for me?
CROSBY (L.C.). Inspector, you don't seem to understand. Mr. Wales was
murdered in this room not fifteen minutes ago.
(_Other characters keep the same positions as when the curtain rose._)
DONOHUE (_his manner changing abruptly_). Mike! That door! (SERGEANT
DUNN _closes door_ L. _and stands in front of it._) Where have you taken
him?
CROSBY (_pointing to the chesterfield_ C.). There.
(DONOHUE _goes up_ L. _end of chesterfield to_ C. _and stands looking
down on the body. There is a long pause, and then slowly raising his
head looks with terrible deliberation at each person in the room._ MASON
_moves to_ R. _end of chesterfield._)
DONOHUE. Who did this?
CROSBY. We don't know.
DONOHUE (_very quietly_). Then I expect we'll have to find out. (_He
comes down by the_ R. _end of the chesterfield and stops when he sees_
ROSALIE. _He gives a short laugh as he sees how she is tied to the
chair._) What's this?
MRS. CROSBY (_rises_). Good Heavens, we forgot to untie her! I'm so
sorry.
ROSALIE. Thank you, madame. I am quite comfortable. I will stay as I am
if you do not mind.
MRS. CROSBY. But--
DONOHUE. I think we'll leave things as they are for the present.
(MRS. CROSBY _resumes the same seat as before._)
ROSALIE. A policeman with brains! Oh, la-la!
DONOHUE. Let's see if he can't use them then. (_Moving to _ CROSBY
_down_ L.C. _and standing on his_ R. _side._) Now, Mr. Crosby, tell me
exactly what happened.
CROSBY. I know it sounds foolish, but we were having a spiritualistic
seance. Madame la Grange is a medium.
DONOHUE. I see.
CROSBY. We were sitting in the dark, in a circle, you know, holding
hands. Suddenly Wales cried out. I called to my son to turn on the
light. He did so. Wales was leaning forward in his chair. His hands were
in those of the people he sat between, and all the rest of us were
sitting around.
DONOHUE. All of you?
CROSBY. Yes.
DONOHUE. I thought you told your son to turn on the lights.
CROSBY. If you're implying that--
DONOHUE. I'm not implying anything, and please answer my questions.
WILLIAM (_rises, and stands back of table_ R.). Inspector, I was sitting
there, and simply made a move to turn on the light. I had chosen the
seat purposely. We wanted to expose trickery, if we found any.
DONOHUE. I understand. (_He turns again to_ CROSBY.) Go on, Mr. Crosby.
CROSBY. In a moment poor Wales fell to the floor. I ran to him and found
that he had been stabbed in the back. Before we could call for aid, he
was dead.
DONOHUE. Did he say anything?
CROSBY. No. I think that he was dead before we got to him.
DONOHUE. What happened then?
CROSBY. As soon as I realized what had happened I sent for you.
DONOHUE. Why for _me_? Why not simply notify the police? I mean, was
there any special reason for wanting _me_?
CROSBY. There was, but I wasn't conscious of it at the time. We'd been
talking about the killing of Spencer Lee earlier in the evening, and
I suppose that subconsciously I remembered that you were handling that
case, which brought yours as the first name to my mind. That's all.
DONOHUE. I see. (_Going _C._ a few steps._) Now then, who's been in or
out of this room since? Of course, you know you had no right to move Mr.
Wales.
CROSBY (L.C.). Yes, I know, but I couldn't let him lie there on the
floor. It was a little too much. You see we were all locked in here and
and--
DONOHUE. Locked in! You mean as I found you when I came?
CROSBY. Exactly. We had all of the windows fastened and all doors locked
for the séance. Pollock had the keys, I refused to let him open the door
until you came.
DONOHUE. Mr. Crosby, you are forgiven for breaking the Coroner's rules.
As I understand, then, you were sitting in this room with the doors and
windows locked; you were in the dark. Wales was stabbed in the back, the
lights were turned on, and no one has left the room or entered since?
CROSBY. No one but you.
DONOHUE. I didn't kill him. (_There is a long pause, then he turns
with a sweeping gesture._) Which one of you did? (_Slight movement
from others. There is another long pause. No one speaks. He moves
very quietly down_ R.C. _to below table_ R.) Now, I'm not going to
employ the usual police methods. There is to be no threatening or
badgering. But you all can see that there can be no escape for the
guilty person. I realize that this is a terrible situation for all of
you, but the only way to relieve it is for the murderer of Mr. Wales
to confess. (_Another pause._) It will save a long, and I assure you,
a very trying police investigation. Let me say also that there will be
no recriminations, no unpleasant scenes. I realize that this seems a
very weak plea for a confession. But I am counting on the intelligence
of the people now in this room. (_He takes out his watch and holds it
face upward in his hand._) I have unlimited time, but not a great
deal of patience. Well? (_There is another long pause. He finally
replaces his watch with a little gesture of finality._) Very well
then. (_He turns suddenly to_ MISS EASTWOOD, _who is still seated
up_ R.C.) What is your name?
MISS EASTWOOD. Mary Eastwood.
DONOHUE. A moment ago, Miss Eastwood, you started to tell me something.
You said, "If you ask me--" Now I am asking you. What was it you wanted
to tell me?
MISS EASTWOOD (_seated_ R. _of console table_ R.). I don't
want to especially. But I think I ought to tell you this. No one else
seems to have thought of it. When the séance started we were all sitting
in a circle holding each others' hands. As I understand it--
DONOHUE. We can take it for granted that I know how that is done. Go on,
please.
MISS EASTWOOD. The medium got out of the circle without our knowing it,
and then showed us how she did the trick.
DONOHUE. I see.
MISS EASTWOOD. Why couldn't she have done it again? Of course, that's
what someone did, isn't it? And if she could get out of the circle
without our knowing it, she could get back in again, couldn't she?
(HELEN _rises._ MISS EASTWOOD _continues with an air of triumph._)
_That's_ what I wanted to tell you.
ROSALIE. If any one of you, or all of you, can get me out of this chair
without untying me or cutting me loose, I will say that I 'ave done that
murder.
(HELEN _sits above table_ R.)
DONOHUE. Thank you, Miss Eastwood. It's only fair to tell you that there
isn't a trick or an effect that these people do that the police do not
understand perfectly.
ROSALIE. Is that so?
(DONOHUE _goes over and examines the way in which_ ROSALIE _is tied
to the chair._)
DONOHUE. Why was she tied up?
CROSBY (_down_ L.C.). At her own request. As Miss Eastwood says,
she showed us how she broke out of the circle and then suggested that we
tie her into that chair to make sure she didn't do it again.
DONOHUE (R. _of_ ROSALIE'S _chair_). It's lucky for her that she did.
Even if she had slipped out of those knots, there's no way in the world
that she could get back in.
ROSALIE. I did say this policeman 'ad brains. (DONOHUE _turns away
from her._) Get me loose, dear Inspector. My foot 'e sleeps.
(DONOHUE _turns back and unties handkerchiefs with which she is tied.
She gets up and stands in front of arm-chair_ C.)
DONOHUE. Thank you very much, Miss Eastwood, that eliminates one.
ROSALIE. Then I can go? (_Starting for door_ L.)
DONOHUE. You cannot.
(ROSALIE _goes_ R. _of arm-chair and sits_ R. _end of chesterfield_ C.)
Anyone else anything they want to tell me? (_Pause._) No? Mike, you'd
better 'phone the Coroner and ask him to come up here. Tell him I do not
want the case reported yet. And suggest that he hurries.
DUNN. Yes, Inspector.
(_He turns and exits_ L., _leaving the door open behind him._ STANDISH
_and_ TRENT _start towards door_ L.)
DONOHUE (_turning to them_). That open door does not mean freedom for
any of you yet.
TRENT (_coming to_ DONOHUE C.). I'm awfully sorry, Inspector, but I've
an important business engagement at ten o'clock. My father-in-law here
will--
DONOHUE. That's quite impossible.
(TRENT _goes up_ L. _again and stands_ L. _side of_ MRS. TRENT.)
STANDISH (_moving to_ L.C.). That is all very well, Inspector, but you
know you can't keep us in this room for ever. If you want to take the
consequences of accusing me of murder, well, that's your affair. But my
patience is exhausted and I haven't the slightest intention of remaining
here much longer. Unless, of course, you are planning to arrest me.
DONOHUE (C.). I see. By the way, who are you?
STANDISH. Howard Standish, of Standish, Giles & Updegraff, 120 Broadway.
My brother is Judge Standish of the Supreme Court.
DONOHUE. And you refuse to remain here any longer?
STANDISH. I do.
DONOHUE. Very well, Mr. Standish of Standish, Giles & Updegraff. You are
arrested as a material witness in this case. As soon as Sergeant Dunn
returns he will call a patrol wagon and take you down to the House of
Detention. (_Turns and crosses_ R.) Are there any others who insist on
leaving this room?
STANDISH. I beg your pardon, Inspector. I acted like a fool.
(MASON R. _of chesterfield_ C.)
DONOHUE. Not at all, sir, your actions are entirely natural.
(STANDISH _goes up_ L. DUNN'S _voice is heard outside._)
DUNN. Hello! Hello! No, sir. But Inspector Donohue wants you to come
here at once. We're at Mr. Roscoe Crosby's house. No, sir (DONOHUE
_crosses over and closes the door_ L.), he doesn't want the case
reported yet.
DONOHUE. We needn't be bothered with that, anyway. (_Moves back to_ R.C.
_There is a pause._) Well, I'm afraid we'll have to begin work. (_He
goes over to table_ R. _and sits down stage end of table. Takes paper
and gets pencil._) With the exception of Mr. Crosby, who is known to
nearly everyone, and Mr. Standish, who has so pleasantly introduced
himself to me, I know none of you. So I'll have to ask-- (_He stops
suddenly and rises, facing them all. He points slowly to the
chesterfield, facing fireplace up_ C.) That's rather a gruesome thing
there. I think we'll move it into another room. Will some of you
gentlemen carry Mr. Wales' body into the other room. (_There is a pause.
The men all hesitate. Finally_ MASON _starts to move to chesterfield._
DONOHUE _is down stage_ R.C.) Thank you very much. We'll--
(_Coming to_ C. DUNN _enters from_ L.)
DUNN. Dr. Bernstein himself is on the way here, Inspector.
DONOHUE. Good! Mike, get one of the servants to help you to carry this
sofa into another room.
(DUNN _turns and exits_ L. _without speaking._)
I won't have to trouble you after all, sir.
(MASON _drops down to console table_ R. _of chesterfield._ DONOHUE
_gives a little laugh._)
Funny how these old superstitions cling to us. One of the first tests
for guilt invented by detectives was to ask a supposed murderer to touch
the body of his victim. (_Slight pause._) The test didn't work very
well, did it? Certainly you four gentlemen can't all be guilty. (_Slight
pause._) Well, we'll have to try something else. (_Very impressively._)
Because, you know, I really am going to arrest the murderer of Edward
Wales to-night.
(DUNN _enters from_ L., _followed by_ POLLOCK.)
Carry the sofa into another room, please.
CROSBY (_down_ L.). Into that room, please. (_Indicating door_ L.C.)
(DUNN _goes up to door_ L.C., _turns knob--discovers door is locked._
POLLOCK _crosses to_ R. _end of chesterfield facing fireplace on which
dummy has been placed between first and second acts. Dummy is covered
with a drapery_.)
DUNN (_at door_ L.C.). The door is locked.
DONOHUE (C.). Oh, yes, try these keys.
(DUNN _comes down_ L.C., _gets keys, goes up and unlocks door. He and_
POLLOCK _pick up chesterfield,_ POLLOCK _taking his end of chesterfield
through door_ L.C. _first._)
And, Mike!
(DUNN _turns his head._)
DUNN. Yes, sir.
DONOHUE. Make as quick an examination as you can and report to me here.
(_The men exit carrying sofa into room_ L.C. DONOHUE _crosses to chair
below table_ R. _and sits._ TRENT _places chair_ L.C.) If you will all
come a little closer, please.
(_The positions now become as follows:_--WILLIAM _back of table_ R.;
HELEN O'NEILL _seated above table;_ MISS EASTWOOD _seated below console
table_ R. _end of chesterfield;_ ROSALIE _seated_ C. _chesterfield;_
MRS. CROSBY _seated in arm-chair up_ C.; MASON _standing upper end of
table_ R.; MISS ERSKINE _seated up_ L.C.; MRS. TRENT _seated in chair_
L.C.; STANDISH _standing_ L. _of_ MRS. TRENT, _and_ TRENT _seated_ L.C.;
CROSBY _down_ L.C. DONOHUE _seated lower end of table_ R.)
Now, I can see you all quite comfortably.
(POLLOCK _enters door_ L.C., _closes door--crosses to door_ L. _and
exits, closing the door._)
As I started to say a moment ago, I shall have to find out something
about each of you. You, madam? (_He turns to_ MRS. CROSBY.)
MRS. CROSBY (_seated in arm-chair_ C.). I'm Alicia Crosby. Mrs. Roscoe
Crosby.
(_He makes notes on paper in front of him._)
DONOHUE. I'm sorry to trouble you, Miss--(_He points his pencil at_ MISS
ERSKINE, _seated_ L.C.)
MISS ERSKINE. Elizabeth Erskine. I'm--
DONOHUE. It's not necessary to tell your age.
MISS ERSKINE. I wasn't going to. I'm the daughter of Edward Erskine, my
father is the banker.
DONOHUE. I know him. Thank you. You are then merely a guest here?
MISS ERSKINE. A friend.
DONOHUE. Miss Eastwood, I already know. And you, miss?
MISS STANDISH. Grace Standish.
STANDISH. My sister.
DONOHUE. Oh! And this young lady?
CROSBY (_puts his hand on_ MRS. TRENT'S _shoulder_ L.C.). My daughter,
Mrs. Trent. She and Trent here live with us.
DONOHUE. And you, sir?
MASON (_there is a pause_). Philip Mason. (_At upper end of table_ R.)
DONOHUE. That doesn't tell me very much.
MASON (_with a laugh_). There isn't very much to tell. I'm just a friend
of the family. We've known, each other for years. I've lived in Paris
for the last two or three years. I'm a painter.
DONOHUE. You mean an artist?
MASON. Well, I don't paint houses or fences, but I'd hardly call myself
an artist--yet.
DONOHUE. Poor, I suppose? I know you'll pardon that question, won't you?
MASON. Quite all right, I assure you. No, I'm not poor.
DONOHUE. Thank you. (_Turns toward_ WILLIAM, _who is standing back of_
HELEN'S _chair above table_ R.) And you?
WILLIAM. I'm young Crosby.
DONOHUE. I see. Live here, I suppose?
WILLIAM. Certainly, where else should I live?
DONOHUE. I thought perhaps you might be married.
CROSBY (L.C.). He's not, but if he were he'd live with us and--
WILLIAM. No, father. When I marry I've got to have my own home and--
CROSBY. Nonsense. Don't talk like a fool. You'd live here with me and
your mother--and your wife, of course.
DONOHUE. I think perhaps we'd better defer that discussion, gentlemen.
(_He turns toward_ HELEN.) And this young lady?
WILLIAM. My fiancée, Miss O'Neill.
DONOHUE. Well, that finishes that. (_Rises, standing below table_ R.)
MISS EASTWOOD. But, Inspector, you haven't asked anything about the medium?
DONOHUE. Perhaps I don't consider that necessary, Miss Eastwood.
MISS EASTWOOD. But--
DONOHUE. And I'm terribly set on conducting this investigation in my own
way, if you don't mind.
(_Enter_ DUNN _from_ L.C.)
DUNN. Inspector!
DONOHUE. Well?
DUNN (_at door_ L.C.). I can't tell for sure, but I guess the knife went
clean into the heart. He must have died instantly.
DONOHUE. All right. Let me know when the Coroner arrives. (DUNN _starts
toward door down_ L.) And, Dunn!
DUNN. Yes, sir.
DONOHUE (_going_ C.). You'd better let me have a look at that knife.
(DUNN _turns sharply and looks at him._)
DUNN (_down_ L.). The knife?
DONOHUE. Yes, the knife.
DUNN. I haven't seen any knife. I thought you had it.
DONOHUE. No. I haven't seen it. (_There is a long pause._ DONOHUE _is_
R. _of_ CROSBY.) Mr. Crosby?
CROSBY (_still_ L.C.). We didn't find it.
DONOHUE. Look carefully?
CROSBY. Everywhere. While we were waiting for you.
DONOHUE. Who moved Mr. Wales' body?
CROSBY. I did.
DONOHUE. No one else touched him?
CROSBY. No one.
DONOHUE. What did you do, after you had carried him to the sofa?
CROSBY. I saw that he had been stabbed. I looked for the knife.
DONOHUE. Where?
CROSBY. On the floor, under the stairs, everywhere I could think of.
DONOHUE. No trace of it?
CROSBY. None.
DONOHUE. What did you do then?
CROSBY. Nothing. I waited for you.
DONOHUE. How long after you found that Mr. Wales was killed did you turn
on the lights?
CROSBY. Why, I told you; we turned on the light before we found what had
happened.
DONOHUE. Would it have been possible for the murderer to have hidden it
about the room?
CROSBY. I doubt it very much.
DONOHUE. Why?
CROSBY. I don't think there would have been time. I don't see how anyone
could have done it at all. It's all a mystery to me. I told you the
circle was intact. You remember?
(_There is a pause._)
DONOHUE. Yes, I remember. Then if the knife was hidden, it's probably on
the person of the man or woman who used it.
CROSBY. I think so, undoubtedly.
DONOHUE. Mike, 'phone over to the station house and have them send a
matron over here.
(DUNN _exits_ L., _and closes the door after him._)
Now about that light. There was just one lamp turned on as I remember.
CROSBY. Someone turned on the rest of the lights, almost immediately.
DONOHUE. Could the knife have been hidden about the room, since that time?
CROSBY. It's extremely unlikely. We have all been here together. A thing
of that sort would have been seen.
DONOHUE. Then I expect we'll find it without much trouble. (_There is
a pause, as he looks slowly at each person individually in the room._
WILLIAM _puts arm on_ HELEN'S _shoulders as_ DONOHUE _looks at him._)
In the meantime, I think we'll let it remain where it is. (_Crosses
down_ R. _He turns with a gesture which takes them all in._) You see
how inevitably the guilty person must be discovered. Don't you think it
would be much simpler to confess? (_Pause._) No? Then I suppose we will
have to continue. (_Crosses up_ L., _takes a chair and places it_ L.
_side of circle, then he takes the chair down_ L. _and places that in
lower left-hand side of circle._ CROSBY _moves to_ C.) I'd like to
visualize the scene a little more clearly. (TRENT _places chair_ L.
_side of circle._) Let's form that circle again--(_Turns two single
chairs down_ C. _around with backs to audience. Crosses and gets chair
in front of table and places it in lower right-hand side of circle._
MRS. CROSBY, MISS ERSKINE, MRS. TRENT, TRENT _and_ MISS STANDISH _rise
and move to the_ L. _of the circle._) Of course this time without Mr.
Wales. (MISS EASTWOOD _rises and stands at_ R. _end of chesterfield.
During these last few speeches of_ DONOHUE, TRENT _and_ CROSBY _have
placed the remainder of chairs in the circle._) All sit as you were
sitting at the séance.
(_There is a general movement_. STANDISH _crosses_ R. _to above table_
R. _The minute this suggestion is made_ ROSALIE _comes down, nearer to_
DONOHUE, _and looks at him anxiously. Something in his suggestion
greatly disturbs her_.)
CROSBY (_in upper_ L. _side of circle_). Will, you were there by the
lamp, and Madame la Grange was next to you, and I was next to her--
DONOHUE. Then how did they sit? (_Down_ R.)
CROSBY (_next to_ ROSALIE, L.C.). I'm trying to remember. It's queer
what a jumbled memory one has. If anyone had asked me about it I would
have said I could have told how we were sitting with great accuracy. But
I can't somehow.
MISS ERSKINE. I was next to you, Mr. Crosby. (_Upper_ L. _side of
circle. She turns to_ MRS. CROSBY, _who is standing over_ L.) Don't you
remember, Mrs. Crosby, he said he'd always wanted to hold my hand, and
we joked about it. (_Sits in her original chair_.)
MRS. CROSBY (L., _outside of circle_). Yes. I remember.
DONOHUE. That's all right, then. Who came next?
(_Down_ R. _They all hesitate_.)
ROSALIE (_eagerly_). Inspector, I can place them all for you.
MASON (_over end of table_ R.). But you said you didn't care how we sat.
(HELEN R.C. _in circle_.)
ROSALIE. So I did, sir, but I knew where you were sitting all the same.
You will permit that I show you, Inspector?
DONOHUE (_after a pause_). If you will be so kind.
(MISS STANDISH _sits in circle_.)
ROSALIE. The young lady was 'ere. And this gentleman 'e was 'ere.
(_Indicating_ TRENT'S _chair_.)
TRENT (_from_ L., _outside of circle_). By George, I couldn't have told
you, but she's right. This is exactly where I was sitting. (_Sits in
circle_.)
ROSALIE (_taking_ HELEN _hastily by the shoulder and putting her in the
next seat_). And this young lady was 'ere. (HELEN _looks at her for a
moment and then sinks back in her chair_. ROSALIE _points at_ MASON.) He
did come next.
MASON (_over_ R.). No, you're wrong there--I--You're right--I remember
perfectly I was next to Miss O'Neill. (_Crosses_ L. _and sits_ L. _side
of circle_.) I know just how her hand felt in the dark.
(WILLIAM _looks at him quickly_. HELEN _turns and looks at him in
wonder_.)
HELEN (_seated_ L. _side in circle_). Well really, Mr. Mason!
MASON. Oh, I don't mean it that way at all. I assure you I don't.
WILLIAM. Then why did you say it? (_Seated_ R.C.)
MASON. My dear fellow, I've apologized. You are misunderstanding me.
MRS. CROSBY. I think we're all very much upset. (L. _outside circle._)
Inspector Donohue, must we go through all this again?
DONOHUE. I'm afraid so, Mrs. Crosby.
CROSBY. Then let's get it over as quickly as possible. (_Sits_ C. _in
his original chair in circle._)
DONOHUE. Mr. Crosby, you seem to forget that this is a police
investigation, and must be conducted as I see fit. Who sat next to Mr.
Mason?
ROSALIE (_pointing to_ MISS EASTWOOD). This young lady.
MISS EASTWOOD. I was next to Mr. Mason, wasn't I, Philip?
(_Crossing inside of circle, to chair lower_ L. _side of circle, and
sits._)
MASON. Yes.
DONOHUE. Now then, who occupied this seat?
MRS. TRENT (L.C. _outside of circle_). Mr. Wales. I know because I sat
_there_, and I was _next_ to him. Shall I sit there now?
DONOHUE. If you will be so good.
(MRS. TRENT _crosses to_ R. _and sits in circle._)
STANDISH (_upper end of table_ R.). I was next to Mrs. Trent. (_He sits._)
MRS. CROSBY. And I was here between Mr. Standish and Billy.
(_She sits._ DONOHUE _moves off a step down_ R. _and stands
looking at them as they sit._ ROSALIE _moves over and takes her
place in armchair._)
DONOHUE. You are all sure that's where you were sitting?
MISS EASTWOOD. There's some mix up here, I know. (ROSALIE _rises_.)
I wasn't next to Mr. Wales.
HELEN (_rises_). Of course you weren't. I don't see what I could have
been thinking of. _I_ sat where Miss Eastwood is.
MISS EASTWOOD. Yes, and I was next to Mr. Trent, between Philip and Mr.
Trent. I felt sure I was in the wrong seat. (_Rises._)
DONOHUE (_quite casually_). Then perhaps you ladies will exchange
places.
(ROSALIE _gives a little sigh of relief when she sees that_ DONOHUE
_attaches no importance to the substitution she has made, and sits down
again._ HELEN _and_ Miss EASTWOOD, _change seats._ HELEN _crosses
outside of circle._)
Now we're all right, aren't we? (_Slight buzz of conversation._) You are
quite sure that you are all in the places you occupied during the
séance?
CROSBY. Yes. I think so.
DONOHUE (_puts his hand on the empty chair_). We'll pretend that
Mr. Wales is still sitting here. (_Slight movement from all._) Now,
Mr. Crosby, I'll ask you to tell me what happened after the séance began.
But first I'll ask you this question, was there any special arrangement
about the seats?
ROSALIE (_hurriedly rising_). There was not, sir. I told them that they
could sit anywhere they did wish. Young Mr. Crosby must 'ave sat by the
light on purpose. And I am so sorry I did make the mistake about the
young ladies. I do not know 'ow I came to make a mistake like that.
DONOHUE. Oh, well, if they couldn't remember where they sat, I don't
see how I can expect you to be entirely accurate. (ROSALIE _sits in
arm-chair up_ C.) However, we're all right now. Now, Mr. Crosby.
CROSBY. Well, after Madame la Grange had shown how she broke out of--
DONOHUE. We'll start with the séance. (_All look at_ DONOHUE.) I know
how mediums break the circle and all that. And you needn't describe how
she went into that trance of hers.
MASON. Inspector, I don't think you're fair to this woman. I think
there's something pretty important that you haven't been told.
(_All look at_ MASON.)
DONOHUE. Then you'd better tell me now.
MASON. In order that there should be no deception, we had Madame la
Grange searched.
DONOHUE. I see.
MASON. And while she was out of the room--
DONOHUE. Oh, she left the room?
(_All look at_ DONOHUE.)
MASON. Yes, and all of the ladies went with her. Then someone suggested
that we ask Madame la Grange about some special thing, and Mr. Wales
said he was going to ask her to get in communication with Spencer Lee
and see if we couldn't find out who killed him--
STANDISH. Most ridiculous thing--
MASON. As soon as she went into her trance, or whatever it was, Spencer
Lee's spirit tried to talk to us.
DONOHUE. She began to give you messages from Spencer Lee without knowing
that this was what you were trying to get?
MASON (_in triumph_). Exactly. And there's no use in trying to tell
me that there's nothing in spiritualism, because now I know better.
DONOHUE. Thank you very much, Mr. Mason. What you've told me is
extremely important. I'm anxious to know what was said, because I'm a
good deal interested in the Spencer Lee case myself.
(MRS. TRENT _turns and faces door, still sitting in her chair_.)
MASON. Then you think there's something in this spiritualism. I never
did until to-day, but, by Jove, you know you can't explain this any
other way.
DONOHUE. Madame la Grange went into a trance. We'll grant that much,
anyway. What happened then?
CROSBY. After a few minutes she began talking to us in the voice of a
little child.
ROSALIE. That was Laughing Eyes, my spirit control.
DONOHUE. Just what did Laughing Eyes say?
CROSBY. It was all mixed up; none of it very clear. But she seemed to be
trying to talk _for_ someone _to_ someone. She kept calling for Ned.
Then suddenly she spoke deeply, in a man's voice.
DONOHUE. Did the man's message have any importance? I mean, did it seem
to make sense?
CROSBY. It was perfectly coherent at any rate. I can't give you the
exact words, but--
MASON (_interrupting_). I can. He said, "Ned--I want Ned. Why in _Hell_
don't Ned answer me?"
DONOHUE (_standing at lower end of table_ B.). And did anyone answer?
CROSBY. Eventually Wales replied.
DONOHUE. I want you all to be extremely careful in what you tell me. I
don't want any surmises. In the first place, did the message come for
anyone but Mr. Wales?
CROSBY. There was at no time mention of Wales' name. The calls were
always for "Ned."
DONOHUE. I see. Did anyone else answer the calls?
STANDISH. _I_ asked two or three questions, but no attention was paid to
them.
DONOHUE. What did Mr. Wales say to all this?
CROSBY. I don't think Mr. Wales spoke at all until the message about
saving his life came.
DONOHUE. And after that?
MISS EASTWOOD. There was a regular conversation between them.
CROSBY. Then there was some mention about some letters. I remember, too,
that Mr. Wales said, "Are you trying to tell me who killed you?"
DONOHUE. What was the reply to that?
MRS. CROSBY. All we got were the words, "Ask--ask--ask."
CROSBY. And then I said, "Do you know who killed you?"
DONOHUE. Did you get an answer?
CROSBY. Not directly. The message was another cry for "Ned."
DONOHUE. What happened then?
CROSBY. Then Mr. Wales said, "Do you know who killed you?"
DONOHUE (_eagerly_). What answer did he get?
CROSBY. None. The medium began to moan and cry. Then Mr. Wales asked her
again and again for the name. He kept crying, "Tell me who killed you; I
want the name." He must have asked her two or three times. Then he cried
out that he was hurt.
DONOHUE. And then?
CROSBY. That's all.
(_Enter_ DUNN _from door_ L.)
DUNN. The matron is here now, sir.
DONOHUE. Just a minute. Just one more question, Mr. Crosby. Did you get
the impression that if Mr. Wales had not been killed his question would
have been answered?
CROSBY. If you grant that the séance was real, it would be impossible to
arrive at any other conclusion.
DONOHUE. It was well established in your mind that Wales was the only
person able to get a message?
CROSBY. Yes.
DONOHUE. It follows then that he was killed in order to prevent his
question being answered.
CROSBY. That's the impression I got.
DONOHUE. This leads to the conclusion that whoever killed Wales knew who
had killed Spencer Lee.
CROSBY. I should think so.
DONOHUE (_front of table_ R.). And it is not difficult to surmise
that the person who killed Wales was actuated by the strongest of all
motives--self-protection. So in all human probability the murderer
of Wales was also the murderer of Spencer Lee. You see, ladies and
gentlemen, that by the use of a little patience we have come a long way
in our investigation. (_There is a long pause._) I don't wish to put
you all through the humiliation of a search. I should like to end this
inquiry here and now. (_Moves a step_ R. _There is another pause_.) No?
Then we'll have to go on. (_Moves briskly to below table_ R.) There is a
police matron in the other room who will search the ladies of the party.
Sergeant Dunn will perform a similar duty with the men. Mike, you will
take them one at a time. It makes no difference to me in what order
they go.
MASON. Well, I've got nothing to conceal. (_He rises and places chair
up_ L., _then moves to door_ L.)
ROSALIE. Neither 'ave I. (_She rises and moves down_ C.)
DONOHUE. I'd rather you waited for a few minutes, Madame la Grange.
(ROSALIE _looks at him sharply_.) Any of the other ladies will do.
MRS. CROSBY (_rising_). Suppose I set the others a good example.
DONOHUE. Thank you very much. (MRS. CROSBY _comes down_ C., _then
crosses to door_ L. DONOHUE _looks at the others, where they are still
seated_.) And thank you all for the great help you've given me. You need
not sit there any longer, unless you wish.
(MISS STANDISH _crosses_ R. _to back of table_ R. MRS. CROSBY, MASON,
_and_ SERGEANT DUNN _go out_ L. DUNN _closes the door_. HELEN _goes up_
C. TRENT _moves one chair up to_ L. _of door_ L.C., _then one chair to_
R. _of door_ L.C., _right back of chesterfield_ C. MISS ERSKINE _crosses
to back of table_ R. MRS. TRENT _seated_ R.C. WILLIAM _in front of
chesterfield_ C.)
MISS EASTWOOD (_crossing to_ DONOHUE R.). Inspector, I think you're
perfectly wonderful.
DONOHUE. Oh, we haven't done very much yet, Miss Eastwood. Give the
police a little time. (_He turns and crosses to_ L.C. _With an abrupt
change of tone_.) Madame la Grange, there's a question I wish to ask
you.
ROSALIE (_coming down to_ L.C.). Anything at all, sir.
DONOHUE (L.C.). When Mr. Wales asked you for the name, why didn't you
answer him?
ROSALIE. I do not know. I was in a trance. (_She moves down_ L.).
DONOHUE. Then you didn't hear the question.
ROSALIE. How could I?
DONOHUE. I didn't ask you that. I want to know why you didn't answer
him.
ROSALIE. I 'ave already told you, I was in a trance. I did not know what
was going on.
DONOHUE. Why didn't you tell the name that you had agreed with Wales you
would tell?
ROSALIE (L.C., _astonished_). Agreed?
DONOHUE. You heard what I said. (_There is a pause._) Well, why didn't
you carry out your part of the bargain? (CROSBY _moves to front of
chesterfield_ C.) Why didn't you give him the name as you'd planned?
ROSALIE. I do not know what you do mean.
DONOHUE. My words are perfectly plain. I asked you why you didn't carry
out your part of the bargain?
ROSALIE. There was not any bargain?
DONOHUE. Your whole séance was a fake. (_Slight movement from others._)
It was not only planned but rehearsed between you and Wales. He thought
that a woman had killed his friend. He told you about it, and asked your
help to discover the murderer,
ROSALIE. I do not know what you talk about.
DONOHUE (_ignoring her reply_). Every detail of this séance was planned.
When he asked you the name you were to tell him the name of a woman--
(MRS. TRENT _moves up_ R. _and joins_ TRENT _and_ MISS ERSKINE _at
table_ R.)
ROSALIE. Inspector, I 'ave never 'eard one word of this before,
DONOHUE. Not a word?
ROSALIE. Not a word.
DONOHUE (L.C., _taking paper out of the inside pocket of his coat_,
_and reading aloud_). "What do you want? Answer. Don't forget the
swimming pool. Don't ever forget the swimming pool. Do you mean the
time he went in after me? When we were little boys. Spencer Lee says he
can't rest." And so on and so on, down to. "Do you know who killed you?"
(_He turns to the others._) The answer to that should have been "Yes."
What did she say?
CROSBY (_now in front of table_ R.). She didn't answer that question.
DONOHUE (_looks at paper again_ L.C.). The next question is, "Can you
tell the name?" And then she was to have told that woman's name. Just
the first name. Mrs. Crosby, what did she reply to that question?
CROSBY. She moaned and cried.
DONOHUE. What did she say after that?
CROSBY. Nothing. She moaned again and came out of the so-called trance.
DONOHUE. Why didn't you do as you agreed?
ROSALIE (_down_ L.C., _left side of_ DONOHUE. _Stonily_).
I do not know what you talk about.
DONOHUE. The police know that some woman killed Spencer Lee. Something
was taken from the inside pocket of his coat. We think it was a package
of letters. This woman left traces. We have her finger-prints--many of
them. Eventually we'll find her. For three or four weeks Mr. Wales has
been working among the people who knew Lee. His theory was that this
woman wanted to get back her letters--in fact, did get them back. He
felt reasonably sure that he had found the woman--that one of you ladies
here to-night is probably the woman we are hunting. He thought that he
could play on her superstitious fears, and that when her name seemingly
came from the spirit of the dead man she would confess. He told Madame
la Grange the name, explained to her just what he wanted, and together
he and I worked out the exact wording of the messages that were supposed
to come from Spencer Lee's spirit. (_He turns suddenly to_ ROSALIE,
_who is down_ L.C.) You agreed to all this; why didn't you speak
the name?
ROSALIE. I do not know anything about it. He--he must 'ave forgotten to
tell it to me.
DONOHUE. Oh, no, he didn't.
(MISS EASTWOOD _down in front of table_ R.)
ROSALIE (_with great decision_). There was no name. He did not tell
to me any name.
DONOHUE. My good woman, you mustn't take me for a fool. You agreed to
use a certain name; you came here for that purpose, and then after you
got here, something happened to make you change your plans. Something
unexpected happened. (_He stops for a moment; turns to_ MISS EASTWOOD.)
Miss Eastwood, what did you say was your first name?
MISS EASTWOOD. Mary.
DONOHUE (_to_ MISS ERSKINE). And yours?
MISS ERSKINE (_back of table_ R.). Elizabeth.
DONOHUE. Yours?
MISS STANDISH. Grace.
DONOHUE. Mr. Crosby, your wife's name is?
CROSBY. Alicia.
DONOHUE. Mrs. Trent?
MRS. TRENT (R.C.). Helen.
DONOHUE, Miss O'Neill?
HELEN (_up_ C., _in front of chesterfield_). Helen.
(_There is a long pause_.)
DONOHUE (L.C. WILLIAM _comes to_ HELEN C.). Helen, I see. So there are
two Helens. Two Helens. (_He stands looking first at one and then at the
other of the two women._) Mr. Crosby, when Madame la Grange first came
to-night, did she show any surprise at seeing any of the people here?
CROSBY (R.C.). Not that I noticed.
MISS EASTWOOD (_below table_ R.). Oh, yes, she did. Miss O'Neill wasn't
in the room when she arrived. Later when she came in Madame la Grange
seemed upset; she said something to her that none of us could hear. Then
I remember she argued with Mr. Wales and said she didn't feel like
having a séance.
DONOHUE. Now we're getting it.
(WILLIAM _stands_ R. _of_ HELEN O'NEILL _up_ C.)
Everything was going along smoothly, until Miss O'Neill came in. The
extra Helen. (_He turns to_ CROSBY.) Mr. Crosby, your daughter was in
the room when Madame la Grange came in?
CROSBY. Yes.
DONOHUE. You noticed nothing unusual in this woman's manner?
CROSBY. I'd never seen her before.
DONOHUE. I mean, she did nothing to attract your attention; the fact
that Helen Trent was in the room made no impression on her?
CROSBY. Seemingly not.
DONOHUE. Then Helen O'Neill came in. (_Goes up to_ HELEN C., _then
crosses down to_ ROSALIE L. _Sharply to her_.) Rosalie la Grange, what's
that girl to you?
ROSALIE. Nothing at all.
DONOHUE (C.). Nothing at all! Then why did you try to deceive me as to
where she sat. Why did you place her so that I would not know she was
sitting next to Mr. Wales when he was stabbed?
ROSALIE. It was just my mistake. I did not do it on purpose.
DONOHUE. I'm afraid that won't do. It's perfectly apparent that the name
you were to speak was--Helen, What's the use of lying to me! You've
tried your best to shield this girl. I want to know why.
ROSALIE. There's no reason. I never saw the young lady before in all my
life.
DONOHUE. What's that girl to you?
ROSALIE. Nothing, nothing at all--
DONOHUE (_starts to_ ROSALIE). _Damn you_, you old harridan, you come
across--
HELEN (_springing forward from up_ R.C. _down to_ L.C. _and pushing_
DONOHUE _up stage_). Let my mother alone, let my mother alone.
(_She goes to_ ROSALIE, _puts her arms around her. Pause._ ROSALIE
_weeps_.)
DONOHUE (_very quietly_). I thought perhaps I'd get it that way.
HELEN (_getting_ L. _side of_ ROSALIE). There, there, dear, it's all
right, it's all right.
DONOHUE (_with a grim smile, coming down_ C.). Of course it's all right!
We've got the finger-prints and--
WILLIAM (_interrupting him--coming down to_ C.). If you think for one
minute I'm going to let you--
CROSBY. My boy, wait! (_grabbing him and pinning down his arms to his
sides_ C.). Think what--
WILLIAM. Think nothing. (_He shakes himself free and goes to_ DONOHUE
L.C.) That's the girl I love, and I'll be _damned_ if I let you take her
finger-prints.
DONOHUE. Young man, don't be a fool. I'm sorry, but it's too clear.
ROSALIE (_breaking away from her daughter and moving to_ DONOHUE
C.). Clear--how is it too clear? Inspector, you are never going to
accuse my little girl of a thing like that?
DONOHUE (C.). She was next to him; she had only to free one hand and
strike, and then take his hand again!
ROSALIE. There was something else she had to do before she could ever do
that. She had to have murder in her heart.
DONOHUE. Well?
ROSALIE (_turns suddenly; seizes her daughter by the hand, turns her to
him._ ROSALIE _stays between_ DONOHUE _and_ HELEN). Look at 'er. Look in
'er eyes--look at the face of 'er. Is there murder there? 'Ave you not
eyes in your 'ead.
(DUNN _enters from_ L.)
DUNN. It's not on either of them.
DONOHUE. I know where it is. Tell the matron she'll find the knife on
this girl.
ROSALIE (_to_ DONOHUE C.). Inspector, I will tell to you anything I
know, only keep your hands off my little girl. I did come 'ere like you
say, and when I see my little girl I lose my 'ead. I tried to save 'er
and I 'ave made it worse. You 'ave looked at 'er, the poor young thing
that would not 'arm a fly, and you think she could do a thing like that.
DONOHUE. Yes.
ROSALIE (_still crying bitterly_). Then, Inspector Donohue, you are
a damn fool, and with God's 'elp I will prove it.
CURTAIN.