W.S. MAUGHAM THE EXPLORER THE EXTLORETl The Extloreix' V A (MELODRAMA In Four iActs 'Br IV. S, (MAUGHAM CHICAGO : THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY Printed in EtigUind This play was first produced at tlie Lyric Theatre on Saturday, June 13, 1908, with the following cast : ALEXANDER MACKENZIE LEWIS WALLEli RICIIAED LOMAS A. E GEORGE DR. ADAMSON CHARLES ROCK Sir ROBERT BOULGER, BX. OWEN ROUGHWOOD George Allerton Shiel Barry Rev. James Carbery S. J. Warmington captain Mallins a. Caton Woodville miller ^"^^"fDiaAN SfRfcROWLEY m^^M?oTe LADyKeLSEY ^ ^^^''M;?!^'n LUCY ALLERTON EVELYN MlLLARD 396931J rHE EXPLORETl CHARACTERS Alexander Mackenzie Richard Lomas Dr. Adamson Sir Robert Boulger, 13t. George Allerton The Rev. James Carbery Captain Mallins Miller Charles Lady Kelsey Mrs. Crowley Lucy Allerton ToiE : The Present Deiy. Scene: The First and Thira Acts tale x>^acc at Lady Kdscy's house ; the Second at Maclenne's camp in Central Africa ; and the Fourth at the house of Richard Lomas. vii Tlif Pa'formiiKj Jiirjhtfi of thi-'^ p/^^ry arc fiilhj protected, and permission to jxrform it, vhether by Ameitevrs or Profcssionuh, riuixt he obtained in advance from the author^ s Sole Af/ent, R. Goldiuf/ Brit/ht, 20 Green Street, Leicester Square, London, TF.C'., from n-hnn all ixtrticuJars can be obtained. THE EXPLORER THE FIRST ACT Scene : Lady Kelsey's draiiinrj-room in May fair. At the hack is a vnndoio leadiinj on to a balcony. On the right a door leads to the Uuircase, and on the left is another door. It is the sumptuous room of a rich luoman. [Lady Kelsey is seated., dressed in black; she is a vjoman of fifty, kind, emotional, and agitated. She is drying her eyes. Mrs. Crowley, a pretty little icoman of twenty-eighty very leautifidly dressed, vivacious and gesticulative, is ivatclting her quietly. The Rev. James Carbery, a young curate, tall and impressive in appearance, 2)07iderou.^ ami self-important, is very immacidate in a silk uxiistcoat and a large gold cross, Carbery. I cannot tell you how sincerely I feel for you in this aflliction, Lady Kelsey. Lady Kelsey. You're very kind. Every one has been very kind. 3 THE EXPLORER liiit I shall never get over it. i shall never hold up my head again. Mk8. C'uowi-ey. Nonsense ! You talk as if the whole thing weren't perfectly monstrous. Surely you don't for a moment suppose that your brother-in-law wont be able to explain everything away ? Lady Kelsey. God forbid ! Hut still, it's dreadful to think that at this very moment my poor sister's hu.sband is standing in the felon's dock. C'arbeuy. Dreadful, dreadful ! Lady Kelsey. If you only knew the ngonies I've suflered since Fred was arrested ! At first I couldn't believe it, I wouldn't believe it. If I'd only known such a thing was possible, I'd have done anything to help him. Carbery. But had you any idea he was in dilliculties? Lady Kelsey. lie came to me and .^aid he mu>t have three tliousnnd pounds at once. But I'd given him money so often since my poor sister died, and every one said I oughtn't to give him any more. After .m11, .someone must look after his children, and if I don't ho.iid my money a little, (Jeorge and Lucy will be penniless. THE EXPLORER 3 Mhs. CuowrjilY. Oh, you were (juite right to refuse. Lady Kklsey. I thought it would only go in senseless extravagances as all the rest has gone, and when he said it was a matter of life and death, J. couldn't believe it. He'd said that so often. Caubery. It's shocking to think a man of his position and abilities should have come to such a pass. Mrs. Crowley, Dear Mr. Carbery, don't draw the very obvious moral. We're all quite wretched enough as it is. Lady Kelsey. And two days later Lucy came to me with a white face to sny that he had been arrested for forging a cheque. Carbery. I only met him once, and I'm bound to say I thought him a most charming man. Lady Kelsey. Ah, that's what ruined him. He was always so entirely delightful. He could never say no to any one. But there's not an atom of harm in him. I'm (juito certain he's never done anything criminal ; he may have been foolish, but wicked never. 4 THE FXPLORF.R j\Ihs. CirowLKV. Of couisc lif'll be able to clear liinisclf. There's not i\\v least doubt about that. T.ADV Ki:i-si:y. 15ut tliiiik of the disgrace of it. A publie trial. And Fred AUeiton of all people ! Tlie AUertons were always so proud of their family. It was almost a mauia with them. Mrs. Crowley. For ceuturies they've cherished the fiim b( lief that there was uo one in the county fit to Ithuk their boots. Carbeky. Pride goeth before a fall. Mrs. Crowley. [Smlli)i(j.] And proverbs before a clergyman. Lady Kelsey. They wouldn't give him bail, so he's remained in prison till now. Of couise, I made Lucy and (leorge come here. Mrs. Crowley. You've Ijeen <|uite charming, Lady Kelsey, as every one knew you'd be. Ibit don't think of tlu se wi ctehed THE EXPLORER 5 weeks of suspense. Think only that IsYw AUcrton has got his chance at last. Why, the trial may be over now, and he may this very minute be on his way to this house. Carbkuy. AVhat will he do when it's over ( The position will be surely a little unpleasant. Lady Kelsey. I've talked it over with Lucy, and — I've made it possible for them all to go abroad. They'll need rest and quiet. Poor things, poor things ! Oarbery. I suppose Miss Allerton and George are at the Old Bailey. Lady Kelsey. No, their father begged them to stay away. They've been in all day, waiting for the papers. MrSm Crowley. But who is going to bring you the news ? Surely you're not going to wait for the papers ? Lady Kelsey. Oh, no, Dick Lomas is coming. He's one of the witnesses for Fred, and my nephew Bobby Boulger. ^[rs. Crowley. And what about Mr. Mackenzie < He told me he would be there. 6 TUli EXVLUUER CAIlIiKIlV. Is that the great traveller i I thought I niw in the [)iper that he'd already started for Africa. Lady Kelsey. Not yet. He's going at the beginning of the month. Oh, he's been so good to us during this time. All our friends have been good to n?;. Carbery, I shouldn't have thought there was much of the milk of human kindness to overflow in Alexander Ma(;kenzie. ]5y all accounts he dealt with the slave- traders in Africa w^ith a good deal of vigour. Mrs. Crowley. The slave-traders must be quaking in their shoes if they know he's starting out again, for he's made up his mind to exterminate them, and when Alec Mackenzie makes up his mind to do a thing, he appears to do it. Lady Kelsey . He has the reputation of a hard man, but no one could be more delightful than he has been to me. ]\1ks. Crowley. I donL think I like him, but he's certainly a strong man, and in Kngland just now every one's so weak and floppy, it's rather a relief to come across somebody who's goL a will of iron and nerves of steel. THE liXVLORER 7 [Geouge Allertox comes in. llo, is a very yoiDVj man, good-look inrj, thoiujlt at the moment j)ale and haggard , with a rather v^eak face. George. I thought Lucy was here. [To Carbery and Mrs. CiiowLEY.] How d'you do ? Have you seen Lucy ^ Mrs. Crowley. I went to her room for a moment. George. What is she doing ? Mrs. Crowley, Reading. George. I wish I could take it as calmly as she does. An outsider would think there was nothing the matter at all. Oh, it's too awful ! Lauy Kelsev. ISIy dear, you must bear up. We must all hope for the best. George. But there is no best. Whatever happen-, it means disgrace and dishonour. How could he ^ How could he? Lady Kelsey. No one knows your father as 1 do, George. I'm 8 THE EXPLORER smc lie's never been ;uiy thing hut thuiightless luiil foolish. (iEORGE. Of course he's not been actually criminal. That's absurd. Jiut it's bad enough as it is. Mus. Ciio\vLi:v. You nuist'.i't take it too much to heart. In another half-hour at the utmost your father will be here with everything cleared up, and you'll be able to go back to Oxford with a clear conscience. George. D you think I can go to Oxford again when my father has been tried for forgery ? No, no ! Ko, no ! I'd rather shoot myself. Lady Kelsey. My poor boy . . . Where have you been all day ? (iEORGE. Heaven knows ! I've walked through the streets till I'm dog-tired. Oh, the suspense is too awful. My feet carried me to the Old Bailey, and I would h ive given anything to go in and see how things were going, but I'd promised the Pater I wouldn't. Lady K else v. How did he look this morning ? George. He w.is most awfullv worn and ill. I don't believe THE EXPLORER 9 ]\v'\\ ever got over it. I siw his cuuust'l hcl'oro tin- c.-ise begun. They told luc it was bound to come nil light. Mrs. Ckowi/ev. Is there anything in the evening papers ? George. 1 haven't dared to look. The placards are awful. Carbery. Wijy, what do they say ? George. Can't you imagine? '^'Gentleman charged with forgery."' •• County gentleman at the Old J3ailey." And all the rest of it. Damn them ! Damn them ! Lady Kelsey. It may be all over by now. George. I feel that I shall never sleep again. 1 couldn't close my eyes last night. To think that one's own father . . . Lady Kelsey. For goodness' sake be quiet. George. [Startmg.] There's a ling at the bell. lo Tnii EXl'LURER Lady Ki:i.si:v. I've "iven orders that no one is to be adniitttcl but Dick Lomasund Bobbie. ]\rKS. CUOWLEY. It must be finished by now. It's one or the other of them come to tell you the result. Lady Kelsey. Oh, I'm so frightfully anxious. G EORGE. Aunt, you don't think . . . Lady Kelsey. No, no, of course not. They must find him not guilty. [TJie Butler enters folloiced hy Dick Lomas, a clean-shaven dapper man^ with a sharp face and good-natured smile. He is between thivty-fice and forty, bat slim and yontJifid. With him comes Sir Robert Boulcjek, Lady Kelsey's nephew, a youd-lookiny, sjyruce yoatJi of twenty -tic o. BUTLEK. Mr. Lomas, Sir Robert Boulger. (li:ORGE. \/':.rcitedly.\ Well, well? For Clod's sak'^ tell us (juickly. THE llXl'LORLiR n ])1CK. My dear people, I have nothing to tell. George. Oh! [//e star/gers wUh sudden faintneas and Jails to tJteJloor. Dick. Ilulloa ! What's this ? Mrs. CiioAVLEY. Poor boy ! [^'^<^Z/ croicd round him. George. It's all right. What a fool I am! I was so strung up. ])ICK. You'd better come to the window. [He and BouLCiEii take the hoys arms and lead him to the loindow. George leans ajainst the balcony. Carbery. I'm afraid I must go away. Every Wednesday at four I read Little Lord Fauntleroy to forty char- women. Lady Kelsey. Good-bye. And thanks so much for coming. THE EXrLOkER Mrs. ('iu)\vli:v. [S/udhif/ hands wif/i /> iin . | (Jood-bye. A cler^iyiiiMn always helps one so inucli to boar other iicoplo's misfortunes. [Caiihkuy goci-j oat, and in a inonient Koiilut l^oULGEii coities hack Into the room. Lady Kklsky. Is he better ? IjOULGEU. Oh. much. He'll be all right in a minute. [Lady Kklsey (foes to the windoir, and he turns to ^lus. Crowley.] You are a brick to come here to-day, when they're all in such awful trouble. Mrs. Crowley. \]V'dha little hesitatioii.] Did you really come away before the trial was ended ? HOULGER. Why, of course. What did you think ? You don't imagine they'll convict him ^ Mrs. Crowley. It's too dreadful. Houlger. Where is Lucy (' \ was hoping to get a glimpbo of her. Mrs. Crowley. I wouldn't trouble her to-day if I were you. 1 think slie mo.st wants to be left alone. THE EXPLORER 13 l)OUl-(iER. I wanted to tell her that if J couhl ilo anything at all, she had only to command. j\ruS. CUOWLEY. I think she knows that. But I'll give her the ines.<^age if you like. . . . You're very devoted. BOULGER. I've been madly in love with her ever since I was ten. Mrs. Crowley. Take care then. There's nothing so tedious as the constant lover. [Dick comes into the room and speaJcs to Robert Boulger. Dick. George is quite well now. lie wants you to smoke a cigarette with him. Boulger. Certainly. [Ife goes on to the balcony. Dick. \]VJLen Boulger is gone.] At least, he will the moment he sees you. Mrs. Crowley'. ^^'hat do you moan by that ^ 14 THE EXPLORER Dick. Merely that I wanted to talk to yon. And Holjerb Houlger, bein<,' a youth of somcwliat limited intolli- gonce, seemeil in the way. ]\1 Its. Ckow hi:v. Why tlij.^ Mr. Lomas, you're trying to put me off. It's not fair to let Lucy buoy herself up with false hopes. She's absolutely convinced that her father will be acquitted. Dick. Well, in another half-hour we shall all kno^v, When I left, the judge was just going to sum up. Mrs. Crowley. Mr. Lomas, what is your opinion ? [ZTe looks at her steadily for a moment. Dick. AVere you very much surprised when you heard Fred Allerton was arrested ? I6 THE EXPLORER Mks. ( 'HOW i,i:v. (!()()(! lio;ivcM>, I was overwlielmed ! Dick. Dri/hi.\ Ah MlJS. CllOWLKV. If you ngiriavate mo I sliall box your ears. Dick. When first I knew Fred he wns a very ricli mnn. You know that the Allertons aie one of the olde.'-t families in Cheshire ? Mrs. C ROWLEY. Yes. I think Lucy's only failing is an inordinate pride in her family. She thinks it very snobbii-h to liave any particular respect for a peer of the renlm, but only natural to look up to persons of good family. Dick. Ah, you see, you and I who have a quite indecent lack of ancestors, can't realise what the cult of family may be. There are families in the remote parts of England — not very rich, not very clever, and not very good-looking — who would look askance at a belted earl wlio came to demand their daughter's hand in marriage. They have a natural conviction that they're the Ealt of the earth, and in their particular corner they rule more absolutely than half the monarchs in Europe. The Allertons were like that. Hut Fred somehow seemed to belong to a dillerent stock. The lirst thing he did was to play ducks and drakes witl) his fortune. THE EXPLORER 17 Mrs. row ley. Rut men ought to he extravagant. That's what they're there for. Dick. Women always took his side because he had an irresistible charm of manner. Mrs. Crowley. I think George has, too, a little. Dick. I hope for Lucy's sake he will turn out a diti'ereut man from his father. I wish he weren't so like liim in appearance. At last Fred Allerton had squandered every penny, and he married Lady Kelsey's sister, one of the three rich daughters of a Liverpool merchant. But he ran through her money, too, gambling, racing, and so forth, and she died of a broken heart — adorinii' him still. Mrs. Crowley. Vou're as well informed as an encyclopiedia, Mv. Lomas. Dick. You see, I was made the ti-ustee for the poor remains of Mrs. AUerton's fortune, and I know how Lucy has managed to keep all their heads above water. She's wonderful. Ever since she was a chihl she's held tlie reins in her own hands. She's stuck to her father, though Lady Kelsey implored lier to B l8 THE EXPLORER leave liiiii to his own foolish ways. She saw that George was decently educated. She hid from the world all the little shifts and devices to which she had to resort in order to keep up an appearance of decency. Mrs. (JiiowLEv. I suppose you, too, think Fred AUerton little better than a scamp ? Dick. ]\ry dear lady, when a man has had to leave his club because he plays cards too well, it's at least permissible to suppose that there's something odd about him. Mrs. Crowley. Here's Lady Kelsey. For heaven's sake try and amuse her a little. [Lady Kelsey coines hack into the room. Lady Kelsey. Oh, Dick, I'm so full of my own troubles, I forgot to ask about yours. I in so sorry to hear that you're ill. Dick. On the contrary, I'm in tlie very best of health. Ladv KkIjSEV. But 1 saw in the papers that you were going to give up your seat in the House owing to ill-liealth. THE EXPLOREh' 19 Dick. Of coiuse, I'd forgotten. ^Fy heart is seriously deranged. ^[rs. Crowley. How dreadful ! What is the matter with it ? Dick. Can you ask ? I've banged it about at your feet so long that its functions are excessively impaired. And it's beaten all my waistcoats out of shape. Mrs. Crowley. Don't be so foolish. I was quite alarmed. Dick. I'm going to retire. Lady Kelsey, From the bar as well ? Dick. From the bar as well. Henceforth I shall cultivate only such arts and graces as are proper to the man of leisure. iVIy fellow men are a great deal too strenuous, and I propose to offer them the spectacle of a complete idler who demands from the world neither honours nor profit, but only entertainment. Mrs. Crowley. D'you mean to say you're going to give up a large practice and a position which may be very important merely to gratify a foolish whim I 20 THE EXPLORER Dick. I haven't time to woik. Life is so much too short. A little while ago it occiiiied to me that 1 was nearly forty. [7o Mrs. Ckowley.J D'you know the feeling^ Mrs. Cuowley. No, of course not. ])on't be so uncivil. Dick. Hy the way, how olil are you ? I\IUS. CUOWLEV. Twenty-ni!ie ! Dick. Nonsense ! There's no such age. Mrs. Crowley. I beg your pardon, upper parlourmaids are always twenty-nine. Dick. For years I've spent eight hours a day meddling with silly persons' silly quarrels, and eight liours more governing the nation. I've never been able to spend mori^ than lialf my income. I'm merely working myself to death in order to leave a fortune to my nieces, two desperately plain girls with red ncses. JiAov Ki:lsi;\. Ihit what are \ ou going to do i THE EXPLORER 21 Dick. Ob, I don't know. Perliaps 111 tiy my hand at big game .shootitig, if Wac will lake me on this expedition of his. I've always thought shooting would be an agreeable pastime if partridges were the size of well-grown sheep and pheasants a little larger than a cow. Mrs. Crowley. Then the breakdown in your health is all humbug? Dick. Absolute humbug. Jf I were to tell the truth people would shut me up in a lunatic asylum. I've come to the conclusion that there's only one game in the world worth playing, and that's the game of life. I'm rich enough to devote myself to it entirely. Mrs. Crowley. But you'll get bored to death. Dick. Not I ! Why, I'm growing younger every day. My dear Mrs. Crowdey, I don't feel a day more than eighteen. Mrs. Crowley. You certainly look quite twenty-five. Dick. I haven't a white hair in niv head. 22 THE EXPLORER Mrs. CiiowLKY. I suppose your servant plucks them out every morning. Dick. Oil, very rarely. One a month at the- outside. Mrs. Crowley. I think I see one on the left temple. Dick. Ileally ! How careless of Charles ! I must speak to him, Mrs. Crowley. Let me pluck it out. Dick. 1 shall allow you to do nothing so familiar. [George comes hnrr'mUy into the room. (lEORGE. There's Alec Mackenzie. He's just driven up in a cab. Dick. He must have come from the trial. Then its all over. Lady Kelsey. Quick ! do to the stairs, or Miller won't K't him \\\\ |( iKoucr: runs (irmss; iJiP rocnn and oppns the ihtor. THE EXPLORER 23 Geoikje. [Calling.] Miller, Miller, Mr. Maekon/ie's to come up. [Lucy Allerton, hearing a commotion, comes in. She is older than George, a tall girl, white now, mith eyes heavy from want oj sleej). She has lived in the country all her life, and has brought tip to London a sort of remoteness from the world. She is heauti- fod in a very English 7nanner, and her clear-cut features are an index to a character in which the moral notions are peculiarly rigid. Self-control is a quality which she possesses in a marked degree, and one which she enormously admires in others. Lucy. Who is it ? George. It's Alec Mackenzie. He's come from the trial ! Lucy. Then it's finished at last. [She shakes hands with Dick.] It's so good of you to come. BOULGER. You're perfectly wonderful, Lucy. How can you be so calm ? Lucy. Because I'm quite sure of the result. D'you imagine I'd doubt my father for a moment '( ?4 THE EXPLORER Dick, Oil, Lucy, for heaven's sake don't 1)0 so sure. You must be prepared for everything. Lucy. 01), no, ^ know my father. D'you tliink I've not studied him during these years that J've looked after him ? He's a child, with all a child's thoughtlessness and simplicity. And God knows, he's weak. I know his faults better than any one, but it would be impos- sible for him to do anything criminal. [The Butler enters, folloived hy Alkc Mac- kenzie. Alec is a tally loiry man, well- hiit, vnth dark hair and a small red monstacJte and heard, cut close to the face, lie is ahont fire-and-thirty. He has great ease of manner^ and there is about him an air as thomfh he vere accustomed tJtat peo2yle shoidd do as he told them. Butler. Mr. Mackenzie ! George. Is it finished ? For God's sake tell us quickly, old man, Lucy. Why didn't father come with you < [>i ho following ? Alec. Yes, it's all over. THE EXPLORER Lady Kelsey. 25 Tliank goodnesF:, The suspense was really too dreadful. Geoucje. I knew they'd acquit him. Thank Ood ! Dtck. [Lookijig at Alec's /«ce.] Take care, George. [Suddenly Lucy goes up to Alec and looks at him. An exjjression of horror distorts her features* Mrs. Crowley. Lucy, what is it ? Alec. I don't know how I am going to tell you. Lucy. You say the trial was over when you came away ? Alec. Yes. Lucy. The jury had given their verdict ? George. Lucy, what are you driving at ^ You don't think . . .? Alec. Your father asked me to come and bi-eak it to you. 26 THE EXPLORER George. He's not dead ? Alec. Perhaps it would I)e l)etter if lie were. Lucy. They found him guilty ? Alec, Yes. George. [With a groan of despair.'] Oh ! But it's impossible. LrcY. [Putting her hand on his arm.] Ssh ! Lady Kelsey. My God, my God ! I'm thankful that his wife is dead. Lucy. I'm aw!'ully stupid, but if he was innocent, how could they find liim guilty ^ I don't know what you mean. Alec. I am afraid it's very clear, Lucy. There must be some horrible mistake. A EEC. i wish tliere were. THE EXPLORER 27 (j!eoiige. [I3reakhi(/ down into tears and sinkinc/ into a c/iair.] Oh, God! What shall I do ? Lucy. Don't do that, George, We want all our calmness now. George. Don't you see they all expected it ^ It was only you and I who believed in his innocence. Lucy. [To Alec] Did you hear the evidence'^ Alec. Yes. Lucy. And you followed it carefully ? Alec. Very. Lucy. What impression did it leave on your mind ? Alec. What can it matter how it affected me ? Lucy. I want to know. Dick. Lucy, you're torturinsf us all. 28 THE EXPLORER Lucy If you had been on tlie jury would your verdict have been the same as tlieiis ^ Alec. I should liave been obli<(ed to judge according to my conscience. Lrcv. I see. And you have no doubt that ho was guilty ( Alec. Don't ask me these horrible questions. Lucy. Hut it's very important. 1 know that you arc a perfectly honest and upright man. if you thiidv he was ^'uilty, there is nothing more to be said. Alec. The case was so plain that the jury were not out of the box for more than ten minutes. Lrcv. Did the judge say anything ( Alec. [Jlefsitatiiti/Ii/. \ He said there could 1)0 no doubt about the justice of the V(rdti;eu. Very well, Miss. [Ue (joes out. Lucy. I want you to help me. [George comes in. George. Yes, lAicy ^ Lucy. I want to give into your charge what I love most in the world.". . . George, have you thought at all what you're going to do now ? I'm afraid you can't go back to Oxford. George. No, I don't know what's to become of me. I wish I were dead. Lucy. An idea has just come to me. I'm going to nsk Mr. Mackenzie to take you with him to Africa. Will you go ? George. Yes, yes ! I'd do anything to get away from England. I daren't face my friends — I'm too ashamed. Lucy. Ah, but it's not to hide yourself that I want you to go. Mr. Mackenzie, I daresay you know that we've 36 THE EXPLORER always been very proud of our ii:inio. And now it's hopolossly dishonoured. (Jkoiici:. Lucy, for (lod's sake . . . Lucy. [Turning to him.] Now our only hope is in you. You have the oppoitunity of achieving a great thing. You can bring back the okl name to its old honour. Oh, I wish I were a man, I can do nothing but wait and watch. If I could only fill you with my courn<'e and with my ambition ! Mr. Mackenzie, you asked if you could do anything for me. You can <'ive (Jeorge the chance of wiping out the shame of our family. Alec. Do you know that he will have to sufter every sort of danger and privation, that often he will be parched by the heat, and often soaked to the skin for days together ( Sometimes he'll not have enough to eat, and he'll have to work harder than a navvy. Lucy. Do you hear, Ceorge ? Are you willing to go ? CIkorck. I'll do anything you want me to, Lucy. Alec. And you know that he may get killed. There may 1)0 a good deal of lighting. THE EXPLORER 37 Lucy. Tf lie dies a brave man's Jealli, I have iiuthing more to ask. Alec. [Yo George.] Very well. Come with me, and I'll do my best for you. Lucy. Ah, thanks. You are really my friend. Alec. And when I come back ? Lucy. Then, if you still care, ask your question again. Alec. And the answer ? Lucy. \mth a Uttle smile.] The answer, perhaps, will be different. END OF TUE FIRST xiCT THE SECOND ACT Scene: Alec Mackenzie's teni In Xorth- East Africa. It is niijld. The j^lace is dhiih/ lifjlded. 'There is a little camp bed in one corner icith a mosquito net over it. There are tiro or three foldiwj cJiairs^ some tin cases, and a table. On this a gun is hjing. Dick is seated ivith his Jtead on his hands, leaniny on tJoe table, fast asleep. J )R. Adamson, the surgeon of the expedition, comes in. He is a large-boned hr a irny fellow with a Scotch accent. He holes at Dick and smiles. DOCTOU. Hulloa, there ! [Dick starts up and seizes the gun. The DocTOii laughs.] All right. Don't shoot. It'-t; only me. Dick. [With a laugh.] Why the dickens did you wake nie iqt ^ I was dreaming — dreaming of a high-heeled l)oot and a neat ankle, and the swish of a white lace petticoat. DoCTOlt. 1 thought J'd just have a look at vour arm. 3« THE EXPLORER 39 Dick. It's one of the most testhetic sights I know. Doctor. Your arm ? Dick. A pretty woman crossing Piccadilly at Swan and Edgar's. You are a savage, my good doctor, and a barbarian. You don't know the care and forethought, the hours of anxious meditation, it has needed for her to hold up that well-made skirt with the elegant grace which enchants yon. Doctor. I'm afraid you're a very immoral man, Lomas. Dick. Ah, my dear fellow, at my time of life I have to content myself with condemning the behaviour of the younger generation. Even a camp bed in a stuffy tent with mosquitoes buzzing all around me has allure- ments greater than those of youth and beauty. And I declare for all women to hear that I am pioof against their wiles. Give me a comfortable bed to sleep in, plenty to eat, tobacco to smoke, and Amaryllis may go hang. Doctor. Well, let's look at this wound of yours, lias it been throbbing at all ? Dick. Oh, it's not worth bothering about. It'll be all right to-morrow. 40 THE EXPLORER I )t>tTou. I'll put a clean dressing on all the same. Dick. All iii:lit. [lie tahes off Ids coat and rolls up his sleeve. Jlis arm is handayed^ and daring the ne.>:t speeches the Ddctuii ^>?f^s on a dressiufj and a clean bandage.'] You must be pretty well done up, aren't you ? Doctor. Just about dropping. ]5ut I've got a deuce of a lot more work before I turn in. Dick. The thing that amuses me is to remember that 1 came to Africa thinking I was going to have a rattling good time. Doctor. You couldn't exactly describe it as a picnic, could you ? ]5ut 1 don't suppose any of us knew it would be such a tough job as it's turned out. Dick. ^ly friend, if ever I return to my native land, I will never be such a crass and blithering; idiot as to give way again to a spirit of adventure. o Doctor. I WHJt a laiK/h.] Y'ou're not the sort of chap whom one would expect to take to African work, ^\'hy the blazes did you come ? THE EXPLORER 41 Dick. That's precisely what I've been asking myself evei since we landed in this God-forsaken swamp. Doctor. The wound looks healthy enough. It'll hardly even leave a scar. Dick. I'm glad that my fatal beauty won't be injured. . . . You see, Alec's about the oldest friend I have. And then there's 3^oung AUerton, I've known him ever since he Wiis a kid. Doctor. That's an acquaintance that most of us wouldn't boast about. Dick. I had an idea I'd like Bond Street all the better when I got back. I never knew that I should be eaten alive by every kind of disgusting animal by night and day. I say, Doctor, do you ever think of a rump steak ? Doctor. When ? ])ICK. []Vi(h a loave of the hand.] Sometimes, when we're marching under a sun that just about takes the roof of your head off, and we've had the scantiest and 42 HIE EXPLORER most uncoiiit"oital)lo Ineakfast po.sbible, 1 have a vision. DoCTOH. 1 )*you iiiiiul only ge.sticulatiiig ^vith one arm? BlOK. I see the (Hnin<]j-iooni of my club and myself sitting at a little table by the window looking out on Piccadilly, and there's a spotless tablecloth, and all the accessories are spick and span. An obsequious servant brings me a rump steak, grilled to perfection, and so tender that it melts in the mouth. And he puts by my side a plate of crisp, fried potatoes. Can't you smell them ? DocTuu. \^Lauyhing .^^ hihut up ! Dick. And then another obsequious servant brings me a pewter tankard, and into it he pours a bottle, a largo bottle, mind you, of foaming ale. DoCTOH. You've certainly added considerably to our cheer- fulness. Dick. \]Vith a shriuj of the ^Iioidders.] I've often been driven to appease the pangs of raging hunger with a careless epigram, and by the laborious composition of a limerick J have sought to deceive a most unholy thirst. THE EXPLORER 4.3 1 )0CT0U. Well, last night I thought you'd made your last joke, old man, and that 1 had given my last dose of quinine. ])iCK. We were in rather a tight corner, weren't we ? Doctor. This is the third expedition I've gone with Mackenzie against the slave-raiders, and I piomise you I've never been so certain that all was over with us. Funny thing death is, you know. When you think of it beforehand, it makes you squirm in your shoes, but when you've just got it face to face, it seems so obvious that you forget to be afraid. It's one of my principles never to be impressed by a platitude. Doctor, It's only by a miracle we escaped. If those Arabs hadn't hesitated to attack us just those ten minutes we shouhil have been wiped out. DiCKt Alec was splendid, wasn't he ? Doctor, Yes, by Jove! lie thought we were done for. Dick, What makes you think that ? 44 THE EXPLORER I )0CTU1{. Well, you see, T know him pretty well. He's been a pal of yours for twenty years in England, but I've been with him out here three times, and I tell you there's not much about a man that you don't know then. Dick. \\'ell ? Doctor. Well, when things arc going smoothly and every- thing's nourishing, he's apt to be a bit irritable. He keeps rather to "himself, and he doesn't say much unless you do something he doesn't approve of. Dick. And then, by Jove, he comes down on one like a thousand of bricks. It's not for nothing the natives call him Thunder and Lightning. Doctor. But when things begin to look black, his spirits go up like one o'clock. And the worse they are, the more cheerful he is. Dick. It's one of his most irritating characteristics. Doctor. When every one is starving with hunger, and dead tired, and soaked to the J^kin, ^^ackenzie fairly bubbles over with goud-humour. THE EXPLORER 45 Dick. When I'm in a bad temper, J much prefer every one else to be in a bad temper too. ] Doctor. These last few days, he's been positively hilarious. Yesterday he was cracking jokes with the natives. Dick. [Dr)/b/.] Scotch jokes! I daresay they sound funny in an African dialect. Doctor. I've never seen him more cheerful. I said to myself : By the Lord Harry, the chief thinks we're in a devil of a bad way. Dick. Thank Heaven, it's all over now. We've none of us had any sleep for three days, and when I once get off, I don't mean to wake up for a week. Doctor. I must go and see the rest of my patients. Perkins has got a bad dose of fever this time. He was quite delirious a while ago. Dick. By Jove, I'd almost forgotten. How one changes out here ! Here am I feeling happy and comfortable and inclined to make a little jest or two, and I've forgotten already that poor Richardson is dead and Lord knows how many natives-. 46 THE EXPLORER J)()CT()H. Poor chap, we could ill spare him. Tlie fates never choose the right man. Dick. Wliat do you mean by tlial ^ Doctor. 1 f we had to lose some one, it would have been a damned sight better if that young cub had got the bullet which killed poor llichardson. Dick. George Allerton ? Doctor. TTo woukln't have been much loss, would he ? Dick. No, I'm afraid he wouldn't. Doctor. iVlackenzio has been very patient with liim. I wonder he didn't send him back to the coast months ago, when he sacked IMacinnery. Dick. Poor George, everything has been against him. Doctor. Souio men have got natures so crooked that wifli everv chance in the world to go straight they can't THE EXPLORER 47 manage it. The only thing is to let thorn go to the devil as best they may. Dick. Alec was bound to give him another chance. | Alec Mackexzje comes in.] Ilulloa, Alec! "Where liave you been ? Alec. I've been going the round of the outlying sentries. All serene ? Alec. Yes. I've just seen a native messenger that Mindabi sent to me. DOCTOII. Anything important ? Alec. [Ctirtb/.] Yes. How's the arm, Dick? Dick. Oh, that's nothing. It's only a scratch. Alec. You'd better not make too light of it. The smallest wound has a way of being troublesome in this country. DOCTOTI. He'll be all right in a day or two. 48 THE EXPLORER TTow aro tlie otliois? DoCTdlJ. They're going on pretty well on the whole. Perkins, of course, will be down for some days longer. And some of the natives are rather badly hurt. Those devils have got explosive bullets. A LEC. Any one in great danger? Doctor. No, I don't think so. There are two men who are in rather a l,)ad way, but all they want is rest. A LEG. I see. Dick. I say, have you had anything to eat lately? Alec. \]VUh a Jcnif/h.] Good Lord! I quite forgot. I wonder when tlie dickens I had some food last. Dtck. [Smiling.] You've had nothing to-day, have you ? Alec. No, T don't think so. Those Arabs kept us so confoundedly busy. THE EXPLORER 49 Dick. You must be devilish hungry. Alec. Now you mention it, I think I am. And thirsty, by Jove ! I wouldn't give my thirst for an elephant tusk. Dick. And to think there's nothing but tepid water to drink ! DOCTOK. I'll go and tell the boy to bring you some food. It's a rotten game to play tricks with your digestion like that. Alec. [Gaily. '] Stern man, the doctor, isn't he ? It won't hurt me once in a way. And I shall enjoy it all the more now. [Calling.^ Selim Doctor. Alec. No, don't trouble. The poor chap's just turned in, dropping with sleep. I told him he might till I called him. I don't want much, and I can easily get it myself. [lie goes to a case and takes out a tin of meat and some skip's biscidts.] It's rather a nuisance that we've not been able to get any game lately. [lie sets the food doion before him, sits down, and begins to eat. 50 THE EXVLORER Dick. [Ironically.'] Api^tising, isn't it ? Alec. Sl)lendid ! ])1CK. You luivo all the instincts of the primeval savage, Alec. It enrages and digusts nie. Alec. [With a laugh.] Why? Dick. You take food for the gross and bestial purpose of appe;ising your hunger. You have no appreciation for the delicacies of eating as a fine art. Alec. The meat's getting rather mouldy, isn't it ? Dick. ] )amnable ! It's been a source of great anxiety to me in England. Alec. What is he talking about now 'i Dick. I was going on with the thread of my observations, which you interrupted with the entirely obvious remark that the tinned meat was getting mouldy. THE UXl'LORER 5^ Alec. I apologise profusely. Pray go on ! Dick. I was about to observe that even in England you will eat the most carefully ordered meal with an indifference which is an outrage to decency. Indeed, you pay less attention to it than here, because at all events you do notice that the meat is mouldy. But if any one gives you a good dinner, you Jiotice nothing. I've given him priceless port, Doctor, and he drank it as though it were cooking sherry. DOCTOK. I confess it is lamentable. But why is it a source of anxiety to you '^ Dick. What on earth is to happen to him in his old age ? Alec. Explain yourself, my friend. Clearly but with as much brevity as possible. Dick. The pleasure of eating is the only pleasure that remains to the old. Love — what is love when you lose your figure, and your hair grows thin ^ Knowledge — one can never know everything, and the desire passes with the tire of youth. Even ambition fails you in the end. But to those who have lived wisely and well, there remain three 52 THE EXPLORER l>k'a.sui-e.s every cLiy of tlieir Yivea : their breakfast, tiieir luncheon, and tlieir dinner. Alec. [With a laiKjh.] I wouldn't worry about my old ago if I were you, Dick. Dick. Why ? Alec. Because I think it's ten to one that we shall all Ije dead to-morrow morning. Doctor. What? [There is a slifjht pause lohile both men stare at him. Dick. Is this one of your little jokes. Alec ? Alec. You have often ob.served that I joke with ditiiculty. JJOCTUU. But what's wrong now ? Alec. You'll neither of you sleep in your beds to-night. Another .sell for the mo.s(juitoes, isn't it ? 1 propose to break uj) the camp and start marching as .^oon as the moon L'oes down. THE EXPLORER 53 Dick. I say, it's a bit thick after a tlay like tliifc;. We're all so done up that we shan't be able to go a mile. Alec. Nonsense, you will have had two hours' rest. Doctor. But some of those fellows who are wounded can't possibly be moved. Alec. They must ! Doctor. I won't answer for their lives. Alec. We must take the risk. Our only chance is to make a bold dash for it, and we can't leave the wounded here. Dick. I suppose there's going to be a deuce of a row ? Alec. [Grimly.'] There is. Dick, Your companions seldom have a chance to complain of the monotony of their existence, Alec. Wliat are you going to do now ? 54 V/7ii EXPLORER Alec. At this moment, I'm going to fill my pipe. [T/tere is a pause wJiile Alkc fills and lUjhts his pi 2)0. Dick. I gather from the general amiability of your demeanour that we're in a rather tight place ? Alec. Tighter than any of your patent-leather boots, my friend. Dick. [Gravehj ] Have we any chance of getting through, old man ? Alec. [Lightly.] Oh, I don't know. There's always a chance. ])ICK. Don't grin at me in that irritating fashion. Alec. You must wish you were treading the light fantastic toe in a London ball-room, Dick. Dick. Fiankly T do. ... I suppo.se we're going to fight again ? Alec. Jvke Jvilkennv cnts. THE EXPLORER 55 Dick. [Briskhj.] Well, fit all events that's some comfort. If I am going to be done out of my night's rest, I should like to take it out of some one. Alec. If things turn out all right, we shall have come near finishing the job, and there won't be much more slave-raiding in this part of Africa. Dick. And if things don't turn out all right ? Alec. Why, then I'm afraid the tea-tables of jNIayfair will be deprived of your scintillating repartee for ever. Dick. Well, I've had a very good time in my life. I've loved a little, I've looked at some good pictures, read some thundering tine books, and I've worked and played. If I can only account for a few more of those damned scoundrels before I die, I shouldn't think I had much to complain of. Alec. [Smiling.^ You're a philosopher, Dick. Dick. Doesn't the possibility of an extremely unpleasant demise tempt you to a few appropriate reflections ? 56 THE EXPLORER Alec. I don't know that it docs. I'm a bit of a fatalist, and my theory is that when my time comes nothing can lielp me, but at the l)ottom of my heart 1 can't resist tlie conviction that J shan't die till 1 let myself. Doctor. Well, I must go and put things in order. I'll bandage those fellows up, and ] hope they'll stand the jolting. Alec. What about Perkins ? Doctor. Lord knows ! I'll try and keep him quiet with chloral. Alec. You needn't say anything about striking camp. 1 don't propose that any one should know till a (piartcr of an liour before we start. DOCTOIJ. But that won't give them time. Alec. It must. I've trained them often enough to get on the march quickly. Doctor. \^'ry well. [(lEOKcE Al.LIlitTox cohiffi ill rrs- ////• 1>im Tol! is on the }>oint <>J'<, and. the Doctor, sjyi'inginy forward, seizes him round the waist. Alec remains still. Dick. \I)arin(j the struy(jle.\ You young blackguard ! GEOKCiK. Let me go, damn you ! THE EXPLORER 63 Alec. You need not hold him. [ I'hey leave go of George, loho sinks cowerimj into a chair. Dick hands the revolver to Alec, lie silently fits into a chamber the cartridge that had been brought to him. Alec. You see that it fits. Hadn't you better make a clean breast of it ? George. \Cowed.'\ Yes, I shot her. She made a row, and the devil got into me. I didn't know I'd done anything till she screamed and I saw the blood . . . What a fool I was to throw the cartridge away! I wanted to have all the chambers charged. Alec. Do you remember that two months ago I hanged a man to the nearest tree because he'd outraged a native woman ? Geo JIG E. [Springing up in terror.'] You wouldn't do that to me, Alec. Oh, God, no, Alec, have mercy on me. You wouldn't hang me. Oh, why did I ever come to this damned place ? Alec. You need not be afraid. I'm not going to do that. In any case I must preserve the native respect for the white man. 64 THE EXPLORER George. I was half drunk when I saw that woman. T wasn't responsible for my actions. Alec. The result is that the whole tribe has turned against us. The chief is my friend, and he sent a message to tell me he couldn't hold them in. It's from him I got the cartridge. It wouldn't be so serious, only the best fighting part of our forces are the Turkana, and we must expect treachery. They've stirred up the neighbouring tribes against us, and all the work we've been doing for a year is undone. That's the explanation of the Aralos' attack three days ago. George. [Svllenly.\ I knew it was all my fault. Alec. The natives have made up their minds to join the slave-traders, and we shall be attacked on all sides to-morrow. We can't hold out against God knows how many thousands, George. D'you mean you'll all be killed ( A LEC. ]f we remain here there's no escape, Geoiige. \ln a ii'Jiisjier.\ What arc you going to do to me. Alec? [Alec icalks up and doicn tJie tent. TEE EXPLORER 65 A LEO. [Presently.'] I think you might go and see your patients now, doctor. Doctor. Very well. Dick. Shall I go too, Alec ? Alec. No, you can stay here. But don't open your mouth till you're spoken to. [The Doctor goes out. George. I'm sorry I did that silly thing just now. I'm glad I didn't hit you. Alec. It doesn't matter at all. I'd forgotten all about it. George. I lost my head. I didn't know what I was doing. Alec. You need not trouble about that. In Africa even the strongest people are apt to get excited and lose their balance. [Alec re-lights his pi^^e, and there is a very short pause. Alec. Did you ever know that before we came away I asked Lucy to marry me '( 66 THE EXPLORER Oe()Iu;k. 1 knew you cared for her. She asked me to bring you here in the hope that you would regain the good name of your family. I think that is the object she has most at heart in the world. It's as great as her love for you. The plan hasn't been much of a success, has it ? George. She ought to have known that I wasn't suited for this kind of life. Alec. I saw very soon that you were weak and irresolute. But I hoped to make something of you. Your intentions eeemed good enough, but you never had the strength to carry them out . . . I'm sorry if I seem to be preaching to you. George. [Bitterly^ Oh, d'you think I care what any one says to me now ? Alec. \(jlrarely,hut notunlcindhj.'] Then I found you were drinking. I told you that no man could stand liquor in this country, and you gave me your word of honour that you wouldn't touch it again. George. Yes, I broke it. I couldn't help it ; the temptation THE EXPLORER 67 Alec. Wlien we came to the station at Muneas you and Macinnery got blind drunk, and the whole camp saw 3'ou. I ought to have sent you back to the coast then, but it would have broken Lucy's heart. George. It was Macinnery 's fault. Alec. It's because I thought he was to blame that I sent him back alone. I wanted to give you another chance. It struck me that the feeling of authority might have some influence on you, and so when we came to the lake I left you to guard the ferry. I put the chief part of the stores in your care and marched on. I needn't remind you what happened then. [George looks doicn sulkily, and in defaxdt oj excuses keej')^ silent. Alec. I came to the conclusion that it was hopeless. You seemed to me rotten through and through. George. [WHli a little laityh.] Like my father before me. Alec. I couldn't ])elieve a word you said. You did every- thing you shouldn't have done. The result was that the men mutinied, and if I hadn't come back in the 68 THE EXPLORER nick of time they'd have killed you and looted all tlie stores. You always blame me for everything. A man's not responsible for what he does when he's doAvn with fever. Alec. It was too late to send you back to the coast then, and I w\as obliged to take you on. And now the end has come. Your murder of that woman has put us all in deadly peril. Already to your charge lie the deaths of Richardson and almost twenty natives. Tribes that were friendly have joined with the Arabs, and we're as near destruction as we can possibly be. Geouge. AVhat are you going to do ? A LEC, We're far away from the coast, and I must take the law into my own hands. George. [With a (j(tsp.'\ You're not going to kill me ? Alec. Are you fond of Lucy ? George. [Brohenly.'] You— you know I am. Why d'you remind me of her now ? Jve made a rotten mess of everything, and I'm l»L*tter out of the way, Hut tiiink THE EXPLORER 69 of the disgrace of it. It'll kill Lucy. . . . And she was hoping Td do so much. Aleg. Listen to me. Our only chance of escaping from the confounded fix we're in is to make a sudden attack on the Arabs before the natives join them. We shall be enormously outnumbered, but we may just .smash them if we can strike to. night. "My plan is to start marching as if I didn't know that the Tnrkana were going to turn against us. After an hour all the whites but one, and the Swahilis whom 1 can trust implicitly, will take a short cut. The Arabs will have had news of our starting, and they'll try to cut us off at the pass. I shall fall on them just as they begin to attack. D'you understand ? George. Yes. Alec. Now I must have one white man to head the Turkana, and that man will run the greatest possible danger. I'd go myself, only the Swahilis wont fight unless I lead them. . . . Are you willing to take that post ? I? George. Alec. I could order you, but the job's too dangerous for me to force it on any one. If you refuse, I shall call the others together and ask some one to volunteer. 70 THE EXPLORER In tliat case you will have to liiul your way back alone as best you can to the coast. Geojige. No, no! Anything rather than the shame of that. Alec. I wout hide from you that it means almost certain death. But there's no other way of saving ourselves. On the other hand, if you show perfect courage at the moment the Arabs attack and the Turkana find that we've given them the slip, you may escape. If you do, I promise nothing shall be said of all that has happened here. George. All right. Ill do that. And I thank you with all my heart for giving me the chance. Alec. I'm glad youVe accepted. Whatever happens you'll have done a brave action in your life. [Tie holds Old his hand to George, ^oho takes it.] 1 think there's nothing more to be said. You must be ready to start in half an hour. Here's your revolver. Remember that one chamber's empty. You'd better put in another cartridge. George. Yes, I'll do that. [He (joes out. Dick. D'you think he has any chance of escaping i THE EXPLORER 71 Alec. If he has pluck he may get through. Dick. Well ! Alec. To-morrow we shall know if he has that last virtue of a blackguard— courage. Dick. And if he hasn't, it's death you're sending him to ? Alec. Yes. It's death ! EXD OF THE SECOND ACT THE THIRD ACT ScKXE : .1 sniokiny-rooiii at Lady KY^h^viY a pleading hi/ an archival/ into a draicinci-rooiii at the hack. O.i the r'ujht is Of glass door which leads into the garden. On one side is a sofa ; on the other a tahle with cigarettes, matches, vJiiskey, sodas, etc. Lady Kelsey is giving a dance, and the iiuisic of the Lancers is heard vaguehj from the hall-room as the curtain rises. Mrs. Crowley and Sir Rohert BouLGER are sitting doimi. Lady Kelsey comes in with the Hev. James Carbery. Lady Jvelsey. Oh, you wretched people, why aren't you dancing? It's too bad of you to hide yourselves here ! ISIiis. Crowley. AVe thought no one would find us in the smoking- room. Jiut why have you abandoned your guests, Lady Kelsey ? Lady Kelsey. Oh, I've got them all comfortably settled in the Lancers, and I'm free to rest my.sclf for a quarter of THE EXPLORER 73 an hour, ^'ou don't know wlint agonies I've been suflering the whole evening. j\Iiis. Crowley. Good gracious me ! Why? Laijy Kelsey. I'm so afraid Alec Mackenzie will come. BOULGER. You needn't worry about that, Aunt Alice. He'll never venture to show his face. Lady Kelsey. I didn't know what to do. It was impossible to put the dance off. It's too dreadful that these horrible revelations should .... Carbery. [^Supplying the V)ord.'\ Transpire. Lady Kelsey. Yes, transpire on the very day I've at last persuaded Lucy to come into the world again. I wish Dick would come. Boulger. Yes, he'll be able to tell us something. Mrs. (J row ley. lUit will he'(? 74 THE EXPLORER Wherever I ^o people are talking about Mr. Mackenzie, and I'm bound to say I've found nobody who has a good word for him. BOULGER. [Bitterly.'] Ilumpfcy-dumpty's had a great fall. Carbery. I wonder if I might have a cigarette ? Mrs. Crowley. I'm sure you might. And if you press me dread- fully, I'll have one, too. J30ULGER. Don't press her. She's already had far too many. Mrs. Crowley. AVell, I'll forego the pressing, but not the cigarette. Carbery. [Ilanding her the box and giving her a light.] It's against all my principles, you know. ;Mrs. Crowley. What is the use of principles except to give one an airreeable sensation of wickedness when one doesn't act up to them ? [Dick comes in as she speaks. DrcK. My dear lady, you're as epigrammatic ns a THE EXPLORER 75 (Inimatist. Do you say such things from clioicc or necessity ? Lady Kelsey. J)ick ! BOULGEII. Dick ! Mrs. Crowley, Mr. liomas ! Carbery. Ah! yrhefour exclamations are simultaneous. Dick. This enthusiasm at my appearance is no less gratifying than unexpected. Lady Kelsey. I'm so glad you've come at last. Now we shall get at the truth. BOULGER. [Imjyatiently.'] Well? Dick, My dear people, what are you talking about ? BoULGER. Oh, don't be such an ass ! Mrs. Crowley. Good heavens, didn't you read the Times this morning ? 76 Tini RXPLORE Dick. I only caine back from Paris to-night. l>esides, I never read the pnpers except in August. Mrs. Crowlky. [Ji'aiiiiny Jicr ei/ehrcirf^.] "When there's nothing in them ? Dick. Pardon me, I'm an enger student of the sea-serpent and the giant gooseberry. Lady Kelsey. l\Iy dear Dick, it's too shocking. I wish I'd had the courage to write and ask Mr. INIackenzie not to come. l>ut since you both came back from Africa a month ago he's been here nearly every day. And he's been so good and kind to us, I couldn't treat him as though there was no doubt the story was true. BoULfJER. There can't be the least doubt about it. By George, I should like to kick him. Dick. [Dri/h/.] ]S[y dear chap, Alec is a liardy Scot and bigger tlian you, so I shouldn't advise you to try. BOULGER. I was engaged to dine Avilh him to-night, but I wired to say I had a headache. THE EXPLORER 77 Lady Kelsey. What will he think if he sees you here ? J 5o LLC! Ell. He can think what he jolly well likes. Lady Kelsey. I hope he has the sense to stay away. Carbery. I think you're pretty safe now, Lady Kelsey. It's growing late. Dick. Will some one kindly explain ? Mrs. Crowley, D'you mean to say you really don't know — seriously ? After all, you were with him. Lady Kelsey. My dear Dick, there are Iwo columns of fiery denunciation in this morning's Times. [Dick is a little startled, hut at once collects himself. Dick. Oh, that's only the reaction. That's nothing. Since he arrived in Mombassa, after three years in the heart of Africa, he's made almost a triumphal progress. Of course, it couldn't last. The reaction was bound to come. 78 THE EXPLORER BOULGER. [Loohing at him steadily.'] The article is .signed l>y a man named jMacinnery. Djck. [Calmly.] Alec found Macinnery half starving at Mombassa, and took him solely out of charity. But he was a worthless rascal, and he had to send him back. BoULGER. He gives ample proof for every word he says. Dick. "Whenever an explorer comes home, there's some one to tell nasty stories about him. People forget that kid gloves are not much use in a tropical forest, and grow veiy indignant when they hear that a man has used a little brute force to make himself respected. Lady Kelsey. Ob, my dear Dick, it's much worse than that. First poor Lucy's father died . . . Dick. You're not going to count that as an overwhelming misfortune? "We were unanimous in describing that gentleman's demise as an uncommonly happy release. Lady Kelsey. But Lucy was heart-broken all the same. And when her life seemed to grow a little more cheerful, came her brother's tragic death. THE EXPLORER • 79 Dick. [Abruptli/f to Mrs. Cijoavley.] What is it exactly ? I\Iiis. Crowley. The long and short of it is that Mr. Mackenzie was the cause of George Allerton's death. Dick. Lucy's brother was killed by the slave-traders. BOULGER. Mackenzie sent him into a confounded trap to save his own dirty skin. Lady Kelsey. And the worst of it is that I think Lucy is in love with Mr. Mackenzie! [Boulger 7nakes a slight movement y and for a moment there is an uncomfortahle j^aiise. Carbery. I saw^ him this evening in Piccadilly, and I almost ran into his arms. It was quite awkward. Dick. [Friyidly.'] Why? Oarbeiiy. I don't think I- want to shake the man's hand. He's nothing short of a murderer. ]>OULGER. [Savagely.l He's worse than that. He's ten times worse. 8o THE EXPLORER Lady Kklsky. Well, for heaven's t^ake be i)olite to him if he comes to night. Cauijeky. I really couUln't bring myself to shake hands with him. Dick. [Drylij?[ Don't you think you'd better wait for evidence before you condemn him ? HOULCER. My dear fellow, the letter in the Times is absolutely damning. Interviewers went to him from the evening papers, and he refused to see them. Dick. What does Lucy say of it ? After all, she's the person most concerned. Lady Kelsey. She doesn't know. I took care that she shouldn't see the paper. I wanted to give her this evening's enjoyment unalloyed. Mrs. Crowley, Tjike care, here she is. [Lucy comes in. Lady Kei.sev. \Siiiilinut by the display of considerable agility 1 Vo managed to keep my legs. Alec. What do you mean ? Dick. Nothing. It's merely the gaiety of forty-two. [BouLGER comes into the room, JoUoiced imme- diately by Mallixs and Carbery. He starts slightly when he sees Alec, hit then goes over to the table on which is the whiskey. Mallins. May we smoke here, Bobby ? BOULGER. Certainly. Dick insisted that this room should be particularly reserved for that purpose. [ The ]^UTLER comes in loith a small silver salver, and takes vj) one or two dirty glasses. -100 THE EXPLORER Dick. Ti[\(ly Kclsoy is the most, admir.iblo of all lioste.^^es. [I'akituj a ci(/arette Jroin his case.] (Jive me a match, T^obby, there's a good boy. [Boulger, icith his hack turned to Alec, takes no notice, lie pours himself out some loh iskey. Alec smiles slightly.] I5obl »y , t hro w me over the matches ! BorLGER. [With his hack still turned.] Miller! Butler. Yes, sir ? BOULGER. Mr. Mackenzie is asking for something. Butler. Yes, sir ! Alec. You might give me a light, will yon ( Butler. Yes, sir! [The Butler takes the matches to Alec, who liylits his cigarette. Alec. Thank you. [Complete silence is preserved till the \\vv\.VM leaves the room.\ J perceive, Bobbie, that THE EXPLORFAi loi cUiring my iibseiicc you have not adtlutl good nianner.s to your other accompli-shments. JiOULGEll. If you want things, you can ask the servants for them. Alec. [Good-hiunoicredli/.] Don't be foolish, liobbie ! BoULCiER. Would you be so kind as to remember tliat my name is Boulger ? Alec. [Smiling.] Perhaps you would like me to call you Sir Robert ? Boulger. I should prefer that you would call me nothing at all. I have absolutely no wish to know you. Alec. Which shows that your taste is as bad as your breeding. Boulger. [Angrily, walking up to hinu] ]^y God, I'll knock you down ! Alec. You could hardly do that when I'm already lying on my back. Boulger. Look here, iMackenzie, I'm not going to let you play the fool with me. I want to know what answer 102 THE EXPLORER you liavc to make to all these cliar^a's that have been brou«,'lit against you. Alkc. Might 1 suggest that only Miss AUerton has the least right to receive answers to her questions i And she hnsn't questioned me. HOULGER. I've given up trying to understand her attitude. If I were she, it would nmke me sick with horror to look at you. Since this morning you've rested under a direct accusation of causing George's death, and you've said nothing in self-defence. Alec. Nothing. JJOULCEU. You've been given an opportunity to explain your- self, and you haven't taken it. Alec. Quite true. . Boulger. Are you not going to deny the charge i Alec. I'm not. IJOULGER. Then I can oidy draw one conclusion. There appears to be no moans of bringing you to justice, but at least i can refuse to know vou. THE EXPLORER 103 xVlec. All is over between us. And shall 1 return your letters and your photograph ? BOULGER. I'm not joking. Alec. It's singular that though I'm Scotch and you are English I should be able to see how ridiculous you are, while you're quite blind to your own absurdity. Dick. Come, Alec ! Remember he's only a boy. BoULGER. [To Dick Lomas.] I'm perfectly able to look after myself, and I'll thank you not to interfere. [To Alec] If Lucy's so indifferent to her brother's death that she's willing to keep up with you, that's her own affair . . . Dick. [Interrupting.'] Come, Bobbie, don't make a scene. BoULGER. [Furiously.'] Leave me alone, confound you ! Alec. Do you think this is quite the place for an alterca- tion I Wouldn't you gain more notoriety if you attacked me in my club or at Church parade on Sunday i 104 T^^iE EXPLORER lioui.(!i:K. lis mere shameless impudence that you >huul(l come here to-night. You're using these wretched women as a shield, because you know that as long as Lucy sticks to you there are people who won't believe the story. Alec. I came for the same reason as yourself, dear boy. Because I was invited. Dick. Now then, Bobbie, shut up ! BOULGER. I shan't shut up. The man's got no right to force himself here. Dick. Remember that you're Lady Kelsey's nephew. BoULGER. I didn't ask him. D'you think I'd have come if I knew he was going to be here ? He's acknowledged that he has no defence. Alec. Pardon me, I acknowledge nothing and deny nothing. BoULGER. That won't do for me. I want the truth, and I'm going to get it. I've got a right to know. Alec. [/Jetjinniiu/ to lose his temper,\ Don't make an ass of yourself, Bobby. THE EXPLORER 105 JJuULtiEit. Ry (SolI, ill make you answer ! \_As he says this he goes vp to x\].kc furioush/, but Alec, iviih a twist of his arm, hurls him back. Alec. I could break your back, you .silly boy. []Vith a cry of anger 15oulger is about to s^n-ing at Alec when Dick gets in the way. Dick. Now then, no scenes. And you'll only get the worst of it, Bobby. Alec could just crumple you up. Take him away, Mallins. Don't stand there like a stuffed owl, Carbery, BOULGEII. Let me alone, you fool ! Mallins. Come along, old chap. BOULGEII. [2^0 Alec] You damned skunk! Dick. Now then, be off with you. Don't make a silly ass of yourself. [BouLCiEit, Mallins and Carbeuy go out. Dick. Poor Lady Kelsey ! To-morrow half London will io6 THE EXPLORER 1)6 saying tliat you and Bohhy had a stand-up figlit ill her drawing-room. Alec. [Fur'wuslij.^ The damned cubs ! Dick. The position is growing confoundedly awkward ! Alec, They lick my boots till 1 loathe them, and then they turn against me like a pack of curs. Oh, I despise them — these silly boys who stay at home wallowing in their ease while men work. Thank God, I've done with them all now. They think one can tight one's way through Africa as easily as one walks down Piccadilly. They think one goes through hardships and dangers, illness and starvation, to be the lion of a dinner-party in Mayfair. Dick. My dear Alec, keep calm. Alec. [With a visible effort containi)uj himself com pi eteh/^ vnth studied nonchalance.] D'you think that I look wildly excited ? Dick. [Ironicalhj.'] 1 tlon't thinlc butter would melt in your mouth. [Dick and Alec yo out into the (jarden. In a moment Houlgeh comes in villi IjAdy Kelsey. THE EXPLORER 107 Thank heiiven, there's nobody here. Lady Kelsey. I think you're dreadfully foolish, Bobby. You know how Lucy resents any interference with her actions. BOULGEII. Won't you sit down? You must be dreadfully tired. Lady Kelsey. Why won't you wait till to-morrow ? BOULGER. I feel that it ought to be settled at once. [Lucy appears. Lucy. Did you send for me, my aunt < Mr. Carbery said you wanted to speak to me here. Lady Kelsey. Yes, I gave him that message. BOULGEII. I asked Aunt Alice to beg you to come here. I was afraid you wouldn't if I asked you. Lucy. \LujhtJy.\ WHiat nonsense ! I'm always delighted to see you. lo8 THE EXPLORER 15()i;l(:j:k. I wanted to speak to you about soinetliin^, and J tlioui^'lit Aunt Alice should be present. Lucv. Is it so important that it can't wait till to-morrow ? BuULGEK. I venture to think it's very important. Lucy. [^Smiliny.] I'm all attention. [//e hesitates for a moinent, then braces h'wiselj to the ordeal. BOULGER. I've told you often, Lucy, that I've been in love with you for as many years as I can remember. Lucy. Surely you've not snatched me from the unwilling' arm of my partner in order to make me a proposal of marriage !? BOULGEII. Im perfectly serious, Lucy. Lucy. [Smiling.] 1 assure you it doesn't suit you at all. liuri.(iEU. The other day I asked you again to marry mo, just before Alec Mackenzie came back. THE EXPLORER 109 Lucy. It was voiy charming of you. You mustn't think that because I laugh at you a little I'm not grateful for your affection. BOULGER. Except for that letter in this morning's Times, I should never have dared to say anything to you again. But that changes everything. Lucy. I don't understand what you mean. BoULGER. [^After a little pause.'] I ask you again if you'll be my wife? When Alec Mackenzie came back I understood why you were so indifferent to me, but you can't marry him now. Lucy. You have no right to talk to me like this. BoULGER. I'm the only man who's related to you at all, and I love you with my w^iole soul. Lady Kelsey. I think you should listen to him, Lucy. I'm growing old, and soon you'll be quite alone in the world. no THE EXPLORER BOULGEII. J don't ask yon to care for mc. T only want to serve yon. I can only repeat that I'm very gratefnl to yon. I can never marry yon. EoULGEll. [Beginning to lose his tempei' again.] Are you going to continue to know Mackenzie? If yon'll take the advice of any unprejudiced person about that letter, you'll ilnd that he'll say the same as I. There can be no shadow of doubt that Mackenzie is guilty of a monstrous crime. Lucy. T don't care what the evidence is. I know he can't have done a shameful thing. BOULGER. But have you forgotten that it's your own brother he killed ? The whole country is up in arms against him, and you are quite indillerent. Lucy. [}f}i.rh moved.] Oh, Bobbie, how can yon be so cruel i BOULQER. If you ever really cared for Cleorge at all, you must wish to punish the man who caused his deatli. THE EXPLORER III Lucy. Oh.wl.yd'you torment me? I tell you tbat he isn't guilty. It's because I'm convinced ot that . . . BOULCEIl. [Interrupting.] But have you asked him ? Lucy. No. BOULGER. He might give you the truth. Lucy. I couldn't do that. BoULGER. Why not ? Lady Kelsey. It's very strange that he should insist on this silence. Lucy. Do you believe that story too i Lady Kelsey. I don't kno^Y what to believe It's ^o e^^ ordinary. If the man's innocent, why doe.n t he speak ? Lucy. He knows I trust him. I couldn't cause him the great pain of asking him questions. 112 THE FXPLORER Are you afraid he couldn't answer them? LlCY. No, no, no ! 150ULGER. Well, just try. After all, you owe as much as that to the memory of George. Lady K el set. I think it's very unreasonable, Lucy. He knows we're his friends. He can count on our discretion. Lucy. I believe in him implicitly. I believe in him with all the strength I've got. BOULOER. Then, surely it can make no diflerence if you ask him. There can be no reason for him not to trust you. Lucy. Oh, why don't you leave me alone ? ]>oulc;er. Ask him point blank. If he refuses to answer you . . . Lucy. [Ilastili/.] It would mean nothing. Why should he answer? I believe in him absolutely. I think he's the greatest and most honourable man I've ever THE EXPLORER 113 known. I care more for liis little finger than for the whole world. I love him with all my heart. And that's why he can't be guilty of this horrible crime. Because I've loved him for years, and he's known it. And he loves me. And he's loved me always. [Aleo and Dick stroll in from the garden. Lucy. Alec, Alec, I want you ! Thank God, you've come ! Alec. \Going to her quickly.'] What is it ? Lucy. Alec, you must tell them now about you and me. [Alec looks at Lucy for a ttooDieut, and then turns to Lady Kelsey. Alec. I think perhaps we ought to have told you before, Lady Kelsey. But we wanted to enjoy our little secret by ourselves. Lady Kelsey. I'm afraid to understand. Alec. I have asked Lucy to be my wife, and she .... Lucy. [Interrupting hirii.\ She said she would 1)0 honoured and deeply grateful, H 114 ^^^^ EXPLORER LxVDY Kelsi:v. [Greatly emharradml.] 1 liaidly know what to say . . . How long have you been engageel < Lucy. AVon't you tell me you're pleased, my aunt ^ T know you want me to be happy. Lady Kelsey. Of course, I want you to be happy. But I — I . . . [BouLGER turns on his heel and ical/cs out. Lick. [Offer hKj his arm to Lady Kelsey.] Wouldn't you like to go back to the drawing-room ? [She allows h^erself to he led awaij^ htljilesshj. Alec and Lucy are left alone. Alec. [With a smile.] I don't think our announcement has been received with enthusiasm. Lucy. You're not angry with me, Alec i Alec. Of course not. Everything }ou do is right and charming. Lucy. 1 shall really think I'm a wonderful person if I've taught you to pay compliments. THE EXPLORER 115 Alec. I'm so glad to be alone with you. Now, at all events, people will have the sense to leave us by ourselves. Lucy. \ Passionately.'] I want your love. 1 want your love so badly. Alec. {Taking her in his arms.] My darling ! Lucy. \CUncjing to him.] The moment I'm with you I feel so confident and happy. Alec. Only when you're with me ? [Lucy looks at him for an instant. He repeats the question in a caressing voice.] Only when you're with me, darling ? Lucy. Why d'you think I made you tell them we were engaged ? Alec. You took me by surprise. Lucy. I had to tell them. I couldn't keep it back. The\' made me suffer so dreadfully. Alec. The brutes ! Tell me what thev did. ii6 THE EXPLORER Lucy. Oh, they said horrible things about you. Alec. No more than that ? Lucy. It's nothing to you. ]5ut to mc . . . Oh, you don't know what agony I endure. I'm such a coward ! I thought I was so much braver. Alec. I don't understand you. Lucy. 1 wanted to burn my ships behind me. I wanted to reassure myself. [Alec makes a slight inovenient av.'cuj from hei\ hut she holds him back anxioushj.^ Forgive me, dear. You don't know how terrible it is. 1 stand so dreadfully alone. Every one is convinced that you caused poor George's death — every one but me. [Alec looks at her (jravehj, without sj>eaking.] I try to put the thoughts out of my head, but 1 can't — I can't. That letter in the Times looks so dread- fully true. ]3on't you see what I mean !? The un- certainty is more than I can bear. At the first moment I felt so absolutely sure of you. Alec. And now you don't '^ liUCY. I trust you just as much as ever, i know it's THE EXPLORER n? impossible that you should have done a shainolul thing. But there it stands in black and white, and you have notliing to say in answer. Al.KC. I know it's very difficult. That is why I asked you to believe in me. Lucy. I do, Alec — with all my soul. But have mercy on me. I'm not so strong as I thought. It's easy for you to stand alone. You're iron, but I'm a weak woman . Alec. Oh, no, you're not like other women. I w\as proud of your unconquerable spirit. Lucy. It was easy to be brave where my father was con- cerned, and George, but you're the man I love, and it's so different. I don't know any more how to stand alone. [Alec looks at her, thinking, hut does not reply for a moment. Alec. Do you remember that only an hour ago I told you that I'd done nothing which I wouldn't do again ? I gfbve you my word of honour that I could reproach myself for nothing. Lucy. Oh, I know. I'm so utterly ashamed of myself. But I can't bear the doubt. Ii8 THE EXPLORER A LKC. Doubt ! Vouve .said the word ;it last. Lucy. I tell every one that I don't believe a word of tlicse horrible chaises, and 3 repeat to myself: I'm certain, I'm certain that he's innocent. And yet at the bottom of my heart there's a doubt, and I can't crush it. Alec. Is that why you told them we were eu.iraged to be married i Lucy. I wanted to kill that gnawing pain of suspicion. I thought if I stood up before them and cried out that my trust in you was so great, 1 was willing to marry you notwithstanding everything, I should at least have peace in my own heai-t. [Alec walks tip and doion. Then he stopft in front o/LiCY. Alec. What is it precisely you want me to do ^. Lucy. I want you to have mercy on me because I love yon. Don't tell the world if you choose not to, but tell me the truth. I know you're incapalde of lying. If J only have it from your own lips J shall be]ie\e, 1 w.nit to be certain, certain ! THE EXPLORER 119 Alec. Don't you loalihe that I woiikl never have a>ked you to marry nie if my con.science hadn't been quite clear ? Don't you realise that the reasons I have for holding my tongue must be of overwhelming strength ^ Lucy. But I am going to l)e your wife, and I love you, and you love me. xVlec. I implore you not to insist, Lucy. Let us re- member only that the past is gone and we love one another. It's impossible for me to tell you anything. Lucy. Oh, but you must now. If any part of the story is true, you must sfive me a chance of judging for myself. Alec. I'm very sorry, I can't. Lucy. But you'll kill my love for you. The doubt which lurked at the bottom of my soul now tills me. How can you let me sufter such maddening torture '( Alec. I thought you trusted me. Lucy. I'll be satisfied if you'll only tell me one thing : only tell me that when you sent George on that 120 THE EXPLORER expedition you didn't know that he'd ho killed. [Alec looks at her steadily.] Only say t hat, Alec. Say that's not true, and J '11 helieve you. [Veri/ (jaietli/.\ Hut it i.s true. [Lt'CY does not answer, hvt sfaj-es at Idm with fprrified eyes. Lucy. Oh, I don't understand. Oh, my deare.st, don't treat me as a child. Have mercy on me! You must be serious now. It's a matter of life and death to both of us. Alec. I'm perfectly serious. Lucy. You knew that you were sendinsf George into a death-trap ( You knew he couldn't escape ali\e ( Alec. Except by a miracle. Lucy. And you don't believe in miracles '( Alec. No. Lucy. Oh, it can't 1)0 true. Oh, Aloe. Aloe, Aloe! Oh. what shall 1 do ( THE EXPLORER 121 Alec. I tell you that whatever I tlid was inevitahle. Lucy. Then if that's true, the rest must be true also. Oh, it's awful. I can't realise it. Haven't you anything to say at all ? Alec. [In a low voice.] Only that I've loved you always with all my soul. Lucy. You knew how much I loved my brother. You knew how much it meant to me that he should live to wipe out my father's dishonour. All the future was centred on him, and you sacrificed him. Alec. [Hesitatingly.'] I think I might tell you this. He had committed a grave error of judgment. We were entrapped by the Arabs, and our only chance of escape entailed the almost certain death of one of us. [An inkling of the truth seizes Lucy, and her face is suddenly distorted unth horror. She goes up to him impulsively. Her voice trembles with emotion. Lucy. Alec, Alec, he didn't do something— unworthy ? You're not trying to shield him ? Alec. [Hoarsely.] No, no, no ! 122 THE EXPLORER Li:CY. [H7M a (jdxp of reliej, almost to Jterfirlf.] TliiUik God! J couldn't have borne that. \To Alec, hope- lesslf/.] 'I'lien I don't understand. Ali:c'. It was not unjust that he should suffer for the eastastrophe wliich ho had brous^ht about. Lucy. At those times one doesn't think of justice. He was so young, so frank. Wouldn't it have been nobler to give your life for his ? Am:c. Oh, my dear, you don't know how easy it is to give one's life. How little you know me ! ]3o you think I should have hesitated if my death had been sufficient to solve the difficulty^ I had my work to do. I was bound by solemn treaties to the surrounding tribes. It would have been cowardly for me to die. I tell you, my death would have meant the awful death of every man in my party. Lucy. I cjxn only see one thing, tiiat you took George, George of all others. Alec. J knew at the time that what I did might cost me your love, and thougli you won't beliex o this. I did it for your sake. THE EXPLORER 123 \At this moment Mrs. Crowley enters vnth Sir RoiJEKT Hoilgeh. *She has a cloak on. Mrs. Crowley. I was just coming to say good-night. Bobby is going to drive me home. [She suddenly notices Lucy's agitation.] What on earth's the matter? [Lady Kklsey and Dick Lomas come in. Lady Kelsey looks at Lucy and tJien goes iq) to her impulsively. Lady Kelsey. Lucy, Lucy ! Lucy. [Brokenly.] I'm no longer engaged to Mr. Mackenzie. He can't deny that what is said about liim is true. [They look at him in astonishment^ hut lie maizes no movement. Mrs. Crowley. [To Alec] Haven't you anything to say at all ? You must have some explanation to offer ? Alec. No, I have none whatever. Dick. Alec, old man, have you realised all that this means 'i 124 THE EXPLORER Alec. Quite. I see now that it was inevitable. Lucy. \^\Vitha S7ul(len burst of furious tmyer.] You killed him ! Vou killed him as surely as if you'd strangled him with your own hands. [Robert Boulger goes to the door and flings it open. Alec gives Lucy a look, then slightly shrugs his shoulders. He walks out without a icord. The moment he has gone Lucy sinks down and. bursts into passionate tears. END OF THE THIRD ACT. THE FOURTH ACT Scene. — A libra?'// in the house of Dick Lomas in Portmcm Square. Dick and his Valet. Dick is jmUiiuj jlowers into a vase. Dick. Has Mr. Mackenzie come in ^ Charles. Yes, sir. He's gone to his room. Dick. I expect Mrs. Crowley and Miss Allerton to tea. If any one else comes I'm not at home. Charles. Very well, sir. Dick. And if a caller should ask at what time I'm ex- pected back, you havftn't the least idea. Charles. Very well, sir. 125 126 THE EXPLORER Dick. Wu .-^hall want Ineakfast at eight to-muirow. I'm going down to Southampton to see Mr. Mackenzie otf. But I shall be home to dinner. liow about those caties in the hall ? Charles. Mr. Mackenzie said they were to be sent tor tliis afternoon. They're only luljelled Zanzibar. Is that suliicient, sir^ Dick. Oh, I suppose so. Mr. Mackenzie will have given the shippers all directions. You'd better bring the tea at once. Mrs. Crowley is coming at four. Charles. Very well, sir. [lie goes out. Dick continues to arramje the Jlotvers, then aoes to the icindow and looks out. He comes hack. Hie door is opened by Charles, who announces Mits. Cr(»wlev. Charles. Mrs. Crowley. Dick. [Going touxirds her eagerhj and taking both Ler hcLnds.^ Best of women ! Mrs. Crowley. You seem quite glad to see me ( Dl( K. 1 am. But where is Lucy ( THE EXPLORER 127 Mrs. Crowley. She's coming later. ... I don't know why you should squeeze my hands in this pointed manner. Dick. AVhat an age it is since I saw you ! Mrs. Crowley. If you bury yourself in Scotland all the summer, you can't expect to see people who go to llomburg and the Italian lakes. Dick. Heavens, how you cultivate respectability ! Mrs. Crowley. It's a sensitive plant whose vagaries one has to humour. Dick. Aren't you delighted to be back in town Mrs. Crowley. London's the most charming place in the world to get away fj'om and to come back to. Now tell me all you've been doing, if I can hear it without blushing too furiously. Dick. My behaviour would have done credit to a clergy- man's only daughter. I dragged Alec oft" to Scotland after that horrible scene at Lady Kelsey's, and we played golf. 128 THE EXPLORER Mrs. Cuowley. Was he very wretched, pour thing ? Dick. He didn't say a word. I wanted to comfort him, but he never gave me a chance, lie never mentioned Lucy's name. Mrs. Crowley, 1 )id he seem unhappy ? Dick. No. He was just the same as ever, impassive and collected. Mrs. Crowley. Really he's inhuman. Dick. He's an anomaly in this juvenile century. He's an ancient Roman who buys his clothes in Savile Row. An eagle caged with a colony of canaries. Mrs. Crowley. Then he's very much in the way in England, and it's much better for him that he should go back to Africa. Dick. This time to-morrow lie'll be half-way down the channel. Mrs. Crowley. I'm really beginning to think you're a perfect angel, Mr. Lomas. THE EXPLORER 129 Dick. Don't say that, it makes me feel so middle-aged. I'd much sooner be a young sinner than an elderly cheiub. Mrs. CiiowLEY. It was sweet of you to look after him through the summer ar.d then insist on his staying here till he went away. How long is he going for this time '( Dick. Heaven knows ! Perhaps for ever. Mrs. Crowley. Have you told him that Lucy is coming ? Dick. No. I thought that was a pleasi)jg piece of infor- mation which I'd leave you to impart. Mrs. Crowley. Thanks ! Dick. She's only coming to indulge a truly feminine passion for making scenes, and she's made Alec quite wretched enough already. Why doesn't she marry Tiobert Boulger'^ Mrs. Crowley. Why should she ? Dick. Half the women i know merely married their I 130 THE EXPLORER husbands to .s])ite «oiiiebocly else. It appeurs to be one of the commonest causes of matrimony. Mrs. Crowley. [mth a quizzical look at Iiim.] Talking of which, what are you going to do when Mr. ISIackenzie is gone? Talking of the weather and the crops, I propose to go to fSpain. Mrs. Crowley. {Openimj her eyes loide^ How very extraordinary ! 1 tiiought of going there, too. Dick. TheUj without a moment's hesitation, 1 shall go to Norway. Mrs. Crowley. It'll be dreadfully cold. Dick. ]Jreadfully. But I shall be supported by the consciousness of having done my duty. Mrs. Crowley. You don't think there would be room for both of us in .Spain ? Dick. I'm convinced there wouldn't. We .should always ]>e running against one another, and you'd insist on my looking out all your trains in Bradshaw. THE EXPLORER 131 Mrs. Crowley. I hope you remember that you asked me to tea to-day ? Dick. Pardon me, you asked yourself. I keep the letter next to my heart and [)ut it under my pillow every night. Mrs. Croavley. You libber ! Besides, if I did, it was only on Lucy's account. Dick. That, I venture to think, is neither polite nor accurate. Mrs. Crowley. I don't think I should so utterly detest you, if you hadn't such a good opinion of yourself. Dick. You forget that I vowed on the head of my maternal grandmother never to speak to you again. Mrs. Croavley. Oh, I'm ahvays doing that. I tell my maid that each time she does my hair badly. Dick. You trifled with the tenderest aiiection of an innocent and unsophisticated old bachelor. 132 THF EXPLORER Mrs. Cuowley. ]s that you by any chance ? Dick . Of course, it's me. D'you think I was talking of the man in the moon '( Mrs. Crowj.ey. [Lookimj at him critlcalli/.] With the light behind, you might still pass for thirty-five. Dick. I've given up youth and its vanities. I no longer pluck out my white hairs. Mrs. Crowley. Then how on earth do you occupy your leisure ^ Dick. For the last three months I've been laboriously piecing together the fragments of a broken heart. Mrs. Crowi>i:v. If you hadnt been so certain that I was going to accept you. I should never have refused. 1 couldn't resist the temptation of saying '' No ' just to see how vou took it. Dick. I flatter myself that I took it very well. Mrs. Cruwi.kv. You didn't. You showed an entire lack of humour. You might have known that a nice woman doesn't THE EXPLORER 133 many a man the first time he asks her. It's making oneself too cheap. It was very silly of you to go ofi' to Scotland as if you didn't care. . . . IIow was I to know that you meant to wait three months before asking me again ? Dick. I haven't the least intention of asking you again. Mrs. Crowley. Then why in heaven's name did you invite me to tea ? Dick. May I respectfully remind you, first, that you invited yourself . . . Mrs. Orowley. [Inter ri'ptinc/.] You're so irrelevant. Dick. And, secondly, that an invitation to tea is not necessarily accompanied by a proposal of marriage. Mrs. Crowley. I'm afraid you're lamentably ignorant of the usages of good society. Dick. I assure you it's not done in the best circles. Mrs. Crowley. [With a little pout.] I shall be very cross with you in a minute. Dick. Why? 134 7~f/7r FXPLORER MnS. ('ROWLEY. Because you're not behaving at all piettii}-. Dick. D'you know what ]'(l do if 1 wore you i Propose to me. Mrs. Crowl7:y. Oh, 1 couldn't do anything so immodest. Dick. I have registered a vow that I will never offer my hand and jieart to any woman again. Mrs. Crowley. On the head of yoiu- mnternal grandmother? J)ICK. Oh no, far more serious than that. On the gra\e of my maiden aunt, who left me all my money. Mrs. Crowley. What will you say if T do ? Dick. That depends entirely on how you do it. 1 may remind you, however, that first you go down on your hondt'd knees, Mrs. Crowley. oil, I waived that with you. Dick. And llion you confess you're unworthy of mo. THE EXPLORER t35 Miis. Cjiowley. Mr. Lomas, I am a widow. I am tweuty-uine and extremely eligible. My maid is a treasure. My dressmaker is charming. I am clever enough to laugh at your jokes, and not so learned as to know where they come from. Dick. Really you're very long-winded. I said it all in four words. Mrs. Crowley. So could I if I might write it ciown. DiOK. You must say it. Mrs. Crowley. Bat what I'm trying to make you understand is that I don't want to marry you a bit. You're just the sort of man who'll beat his wife regularly every Saturday night. . . . You will say yes if I ask you, won't you f? Dick. I've never been able to refuse a w^oman anything. Mrs. Crowley. I have no doubt you Avill after six months of holy matrimony. Dick. I never sav/ any one make such a fuss about so insignificant a detail as a proposal cf marriage. 136 THE EXPLORER Mrs. Crowlfa'. Dick. \S/te slrclcJtes out Iter /kdkIs, siniliiKj, and he takes her in his ar/ns.\ You really are a detestable person. DlfK. [With a smile, talinij a rimj from his ^;of/<'^.J J bought an engagement ring yesterday on the ofl' chance of its being useful. Mrs. Crowley. Then you meant to ask me all the time ^ Dick. Of course I did, you silly. Mrs. Crowley. Oh, I wish I had known that before. I'd have refused you again. Dick. You absurd creature. [//e kisses her. Mrs. Crowley. [Tri/inr/ to release herself. \ There's somebody coming. Dick. It's only Alec. [Alec comes in. A LEC. Ilulloa! Dkk. Alec, we've made friends, Mrs. Crowley and I. Alec. Tt certainlv looks vei-v much like it. THE EXPLORER 137 Dick. The fact is, I've asked her to marry me, and slio . . . Mrs. Cjioavley. [Interrupting, vnth a senile.] After much pressure — Dick. Has consented. Alec. I'm so glad. I heartily congratulate you both. I was rather unhappy at leaving Dick, Mrs. Crowley. ]^ut now I leave him in jonv hands, I'm perfectly content. He's the dearest, kindest old chap I've ever known. Dick. Shut up, Alec ! Don't play the heavy father, or we shall burst into teais. Alec. He'll be an admirable husband because he's an admirable friend. Mrs. CiiowLEY. 1 know he will. And I'm only prevented from saying all I think of him and how much I love him, by the fear that he'll become perfectly unmanageable. Dick. Spare me these chaste blushes which mantle my youthful brow. Will you pour out the tea . . . Nellie i ]\rRS. (J ROWLEY. Yes . . . Dick. T38 THE EXPLORER \She sits ilonm at the tea-tahle and J>ick makes In nisei f comfortable in an arm-chair hy her side. A LEr. Well. I'm thankful to say that oveiything's packed and loady. ISIrs. Crowley. J wish yon'd stay for our wediling. Dick. Do. Yon can <:o just as well by the next boat. Alec. I'm afr.ud that everything is settled now. I've given instrnctious at Zanzibar to collect bearers, and I must :irrive as quickly as I can. Dick. I wish to goodness yon'd give np these horrible explorations. A LEC. B\it they're the very breath of my life. Yon don't know the exhilaration of the daily dangers — the joy of treading where only the wild beasts have trodden before. Oh, already I can hardly bear my impatience when I think of the boundless country and the enchanting freedom. Here one grows .^^o small, .^o despicable, but in Africa e^■erything is built to a nobler standai d. There a man is really a man ; there one knows what arc will and strength and courage. Oh, you don't know what it is to stand on the edge of some great plain and breathe the pure keen air THE EXPLORER I39 after the terrors of tlio forest. Tlion at last yon kriow what freedom is, Dick. The boundless plain of Hyde Park is enough for me, and the aspect of Piccadilly on a fine day in Juno gives me quite as many emotions as I want, Mrs. Crowley. But what will you gain hy it all, now that your work in East Africa is over, by all the dangers and the hardships ( Nothing. I want to gain nothing. Perhaps I shall discover some new species of antelope or some unknown plant. Perhaps I shall find some new waterway. That is all the reward I want, I love the sense of powder and mastery. What do you think I care for the tinsel rewards of kings and peoples -? Dick. I always said you were melodramatic. I never heard anything so transpontine. Mrs, Crowley. And the end of it, what will be the end ^ A LEO. The end is death in some fever-stricken swamp, obscurely, worn out by exposure and ague and starva- tion. And the bearers will seize my gun and my clothes and leave me to the jackals. Mrs. Crowley. Don't. It's too horrible. 140 THE EXPLORER Alec. Why, wlial /ui(j on her side also io make conversatiu7i.^ We shall miss you dreadfully when you're gone, Mr. Mackenzie. Dick. [CJieerfully.] Not a bit of it. A J. EC. \Smiling.\ London is an excellent place for showing one of how little importance one is in the world. One makes a certain figure, and perhaps is tempted to think oneself of .some consequence. Then one goes away, and on returning is surprised to discover that nobody has even noticed one's absence. Dick. You're over-modest, Alec, if you weren't, you THE EXPLORER 145 might be a great man. Now, i make a point of telling my friends that I'm indispensable, and they take me at my word. Alec. You are a leaven of flippancy in the heavy dough of British righteousness. Dick. The wise man only takes the unimportant quite seriously. Alec. [With a smile?[ For it is obvious that it needs more brains to do nothing than to be a cabinet minister. Dick. You pay me a great compliment, Alec. You repeat to my very face one of my favourite observations. Lucy. [Almost in a ivhispe7\] Haven't I heard you say that only the impossible is worth doing ? Alec. Good heavens, I must have been reading the headings of a copy-book. Mrs. Crowley. [2^0 Dick.] Are you going to Southampton to see Mr. Mackenzie off i Dick. I shall hide my face on his shoulder and weep salt tears. It'll be most affecting, because in moments of emotion I always burst into epigram. K 146 THE EXPLORER Alec. I loathe all solemn leave-takings. I prefer to j.ait from people with a nod and a smile, whether J'm going for e\er or for a day to Brighton. M us. CllOWLEY. You're very hard. Alec Dick has been teaching me to take life flippantly. And I have learnt that thing.s are only serious if you take them seriously, and that is desperately stupid. [To Lucy.] Don't you agree with me ? Licv. Ko. [Her tone, uhnost trcujic, makes him pause for an instant; hut he is determined that the conversation shall he 2mrely con- ventional. Alec. It's so difficult to be serious without being absurd. That is the chief power of women, that life and death are merely occasions for a change of costume : marriage a creation in white, and the worship of God an opportunity for a Paris bonnet. [Mrs. Cuowley /jiaJces vp her mind to force a crisis, and she (jets np. S\ us. CljtOWLEV. ]t's growing late, i >i(k. Won't you take mo round the hou.se ? THE EXPLORER i }7 A fiEC. I'm afraul my luggage has made everything very disorderly. ]\[rs. Crowley. It doesn't matter. Come, Dick ! Dick. [To Lucy. J You don't mind if we leave you ? Lucy. Oh, no. [INFrs. Crowley and Dick go out. There is a moment's silence. Alec. Do you know that our friend Dick has oflTered his hand and heart to Mrs. Crowley this afternoon ? Lucy. I hope they'll be very happy. They're very much in love with one another. Alec. [Bitterhj^ And is that a reason for marrying? Surely love is the worst possible foundation for marriage. Love creates illusions, and marriages destroy them. True lovers should never marry. Lucy. "Will you open the window ? It seems stifling here. Alec. Certainly. [From tlie vindow.] You can't think what a joy it is to look upon London for the last time. I'm' so thankful to get away. 148 THE EXPLORER [Lucy (jives a little sob awl Alec turns to the vnndow. lie vants to iroviul her and yet cannot hear to see her suffer, A m:c. To-morrow at tliis time J sliiill be well started. Oh, J long for that infinite .surface of the dean and comfortable sea. Lucy. Are you very glad to go? A LEC. [Tumincj to her.^ T feel quite boyish at the very thought. Lucy. And is there no one you regret to leave ? Alec. You see, Dick is going to marry. When a man does that, his bachelor friends are wise to dei)art gracefully before he shows them that he needs .their company no longer. I have no relations and few friends. .1 can't flatter myself that any one will be much distressed at my departure. Lucy. [//i a loir voice.] You must have no heart at all. Alec. [Icily.] Jf i had, I certainly should not bring it to Portman Square. That sentimental organ would be surely out of place in such a neighbourhood. Lucy. [Gets vp and goes to him.'] Oh, wliy do you treat me as if we were strangers ? flow can you be so cruel ? THE EXPLORER 14O Alec. \Gravely.^^ Don't you think that flippancy is the best refuge from an unconifortaljle position. We shoukl really be much wiser merely to discuss the Aveathcr. Lucy. [Insisting.^ Are you angry because I came ? Alec. That would be ungracious on my part. Perhaps it wasn't quite necessary that w^e should meet again. Lucy. You've been acting all the time I've been here. B'you think I didn't see it was unreal when you talked with such cynical indifierence. I know you well enough to tell when you're hiding your real self behind a mask. Alec. If I'm doing that, the inference is obvious that I wish my real self to be hidden. Lucy. I would rather you cursed me than treat me with such cold politeness. Alec. I'm afraid you're rather difficult to please. [Lucy goes iq) to him 'passionately^ hut he draws hack so that she may not touch him. Lucy. Oh, you're of iron. Alec, Alec, I couldn't let 3'ou go without seeing you once more. Even you would be satisfied if you knew what bitter anguish I've suffered. Even you would pity me. I don't want you to think too badly of me. 150 THE EXPLORER Alkc. Docs it iimch Diatter what I think ? A\'p sliall ))e so many thousand miles apart. Lucv. I suppose tliat you utterly despise me. Alec. No. I loved you far too much ever to do that. Believe me, I only wish you well. Now that the bitterness is past, 1 see that you did the only possible thing. J hope that you'll be very happy. Lucy. Oh, Alec, don't be utterly pitiless. Don't leave me without a sin«j:le word of kindness. Alkc. Nothinf( is changed, Lucy. You sent me away on account of your brother's death. [7'here is a long silence, and vhen she speals it is hesitatinglij, as if tJie vords wre ^mmfxd to utter. Lucy. I hated you then, and yet I couldn't crush the love that was in my heart. I used to try and drive you away from my thoughts, but every word you had ever said came batk tome. Don't you reincniber? You told me that everything you did was for my sake. Those words hammered at my heart as though it were an anvil. I struggled not to believe them. ] said to my.self that you had sacrificed Oeorge coldly, callously, prudently, but in my heart 1 knew it wasn't true, [//f loohs at hfi\ hardhj ahle t<> heJieve ir/ni( she THE EXPLORER 151 is going to say, but does not speed-.] Your whole life stood on one side and only this hateful story on the other. You couldn't have grown into a different man in one single instant. J came here to-day to tell you that I don't understand the reason of what you did. 1 don't want to understand. I believe in you now with all my strength. I know that whatever you did was right and just — because you did it. [Ife gives a long, deep sigh. Alec. Thank God ! Oh, I'm so grateful to you for that. Lucy, Haven't you anything more to say to me than that ? Alec. You see, it comes too late. Nothing much matters now, for to-morrow I go away. Lucy. Bat you'll come back. Alec. I'm going to a part of Africa from which Europeans seldom return. Lucy. \_With a sudden outburst of passioii.] Oh, that's too horrible. Don't go, dearest ! I can't bear it ! Alec. I must now. Everything is settled, and there can be no drawing back. Lucy. Don't you care for me any more 'i 152 THE EXPLORER Alix'. Care for you ? I lo^•e you with all my heart and Koul. Lucy. \^Ea(jerhj.^ Then take me with you. Alec. You ! Lucy. You don't know what I can do. With you to help me I can be brave. Lot me come, Alec ( Alec. No, it's impossible. You don't know what you ask. Lucy. Tlien let me wait for you '^ Let me wait till you come back ? Alec. And if I never come back ? Lucy. I will wait for you still. Alec. Then have no fear. I will come back. IMy journey was only dangerous because I wanted to die. 1 want to live now, and I shall live. Lucy. Oil, Alec, Alec, I'm so glad you love me. THE E^D THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW AN INITIAL FINE OF 25 CENTS WILL BE ASSESSED FOR FAILURE TO RETURN THIS BOOK ON THE DATE DUE. THE PENALTY WILL INCREASE TO 50 CENTS ON THE FOURTH DAY AND TO $1.00 ON THE SEVENTH DAY OVERDUE. DEC 14 1932 'f'y^M 1953 U 29!un 30 ^'933 FvtTC JUL 2 ^ „r- 111^33 NAY 8 1934 JUL 191938 DEC 15 1939 APR 17 1947 LO/ 1,1> 21 .'"III A. ^.00 flet U C. BERKELEY LIBRARIES CDSnEllfiT / i9693U UNIVERSITY OF CAUFORNIA LIBRARY