UC-NRLF B 3 1MM 357 THE GENTLEMAN RANKER AND OTHER PLAYS By LEON GORDON THE FOUR SEAS COMPANY THE GENTLEMAN RANKER THE GENTLEMAN RANKER AND OTHER PLAYS BY LEON GORDON BOSTON THE FOUR SEAS COMPANY 1919 Copyright, 1919, by THE FOUR SEAS COMPANY THE FOUR SEAS PRESS BOSTON, MASS., U. S. A. TO MY MOTHER AND THC MEMORY OF MY FATHER 401067 CONTENTS THE GENTLEMAN RANKER . . . .11 As A PAL 77 LEAVE THE WOMAN OUT . . . 109 THE GENTLEMAN RANKER ORIGINALLY SUGGESTED BY MARY STAFFORD-SMITH FROM RUDYARD KIPLING S "BARRACK ROOM BALLADS" We re poor little lambs who ve lost our way, Baa! baa! baa! We re little black sheep who ve gone astray, Baa aa aa! Gentlemen-rankers out on the spree Damned from here to eternity, God ha mercy on such as we, Baa! Yah! Bah! KIPLING [ORIGINAL CAST] COLONEL GRAYLEN Mr. A. C. Lilly PRIVATE SMITH Mr. Charles King SIR CHARLES AMES Mr. George Butler CAPTAIN CRANE Mr. James E. Green LIEUTENANT HARFORD Mr. Leon Gordon LIEUTENANT BRETT Mr. Franklyn Wood MAJOR Mr. Harry Evans DOT Mr. Charles Douglas SOAPY Mr. Geo. Tapping VIOLET LEE Miss Fife Alexandra OFFICERS, NURSES, MEN, BAND, ETC. THE GENTLEMAN RANKER SCENE I A corrugated iron barn in Kroonsdorp on the border of German South West Africa. There is a window at the back, which shows a typical African Market Square, and in the distance an old Dutch farm, partly in ruins from artillery fire. The barn itself is in fairly good preservation, except for a ragged shell hole on the left side near the roof about five feet by two. Its sole furniture consists of two wooden benches, a rough wooden table, and two or three wooden chairs. There is a door right and a door left. At the rise of the curtain, MAJOR HASELDENE, of the transportation staff, is discovered seated at the table, on which are scattered numerous military docu ments. Standing left of him is CAPTAIN CRANE orderly officer for the day, and looking out of the window, with his back to the audience is 2ND LIEU TENANT BRETT. A bugle is heard in the distance, followed by the boom of a big gun. Then for a moment there is silence, broken only by the scratch ing of the MAJOR S pen. Presently he looks up and addresses the CAPTAIN. [ii] MAJOR Well, I think that s the best we can do. The officers will billet in the Power House. You can get four hundred men in the Post Office, and about one hun dred and fifty in the farms. You must do the best you can with the other fifty. We ll shift out of here at once, and you can billet twenty or thirty here. See there is plenty of clean straw. [He leans back in his chair.] Well, that s that! CAPTAIN CRANE I hope they don t send any fresh troops until we can get some of these on the move. Things are getting a bit congested, Major. MAJOR Yes, for the moment but as soon as the advance guard get in touch with the enemy, it ll be the old story the same as it was in 1900. The wires will start humming, "Send every man you ve got, at the double and be quick about it." And off we ll pack them like a lot of sardines, till there isn t a man left in the dorp. And then, before we know where we are, the order will come, "Send up the Reserves." And we won t have a man to send them. And we ll remain here and twiddle our thumbs, and wait and wait, and every hour the order from the line will come, "Send the Reserves Where the Demi are the Reserves?" And in turn we shall curse the Transportation Depart ment, who will politely reply, that as soon as fresh troops disembark they, will be despatched without delay. And all the time the plea will come: "For [12] Heaven s sake, send the Reserves" until that one word "Reserves" burns itself into one s very soul until we mutter it in our sleep, until we are afraid to face another day and hear that repeated wounded cry, "Send the Reserves for God s sake send the Re serves." [He stops suddenly, and becomes self-con scious and embarrassed at having spoken his inmost thoughts.] I beg your pardon I I ve no right to be so pessimistic, but I went through it in the last cam paign out here, and it s haunted me ever since. To me, there is nothing more pitiful than a hard-pressed chief calling for his reserves when they can t be sent. [He finishes quietly.] It s like watching a strong man starve to death. LIEUTENANT BRETT [Cheerfully] Perhaps things will be better this time, sir. MAJOR I wish I could think so, Brett, but you may be sure the War Office has got both hands full with this colossal undertaking on the French Front. This is only a little picnic compared to that. Of course they ll do their best, but they can t do impossibilities, and when you remember that every man, and most of the equipment has to travel over four thousand miles I wonder we get anything at all. Anyway it takes time. [To CAPTAIN.] What do you think of the new bunch, Crane ? CAPTAIN CRANE Pretty good I should think, but raw stuff. [13] LIEUTENANT BRETT And we re deuced short of non-coms. MAJOR That s also part of the old story. [To CAPTAIN.] Did you notice any men likely for promotion? CAPTAIN CRANE I ve made a list of a few. [He pulls out his notebook and reads names.] "Sergeant West he s an old campaigner at a pinch we might jump him to a lieutenant. He s quite capable of looking after a platoon. Then there are a couple of Corporals White and Sorners pretty smart boys should make good sergeants. Then there s Private Smith. LIEUTENANT BRETT Yes there s Private Smith. MAJOR There are about thirty Private Smiths, aren t there? LIEUTENANT BRETT Yes, sir but they ve all had Smith thrust upon them. There s only one man with sufficient disregard for the original to adopt it out of sheer regard for its euphemism. In other words, "Smith by any other name would smell as sweet." CAPTAIN CRANE I think you ve hit it, Brett. MAJOR I wish you two fellows would be good enough to let me into your secret society. CAPTAIN CRANE Well, there s a chap here called Smith. MAJOR Yes I ve gathered that much. CAPTAIN CRANE He joined about three months ago and was trans ferred as a raw recruit to the 2nd battalion just before we sailed. The first day he came on parade he seemed to know such a darned lot about it, and looked at Brett in such a queer way when he fumbled his return at the rifle inspection, that Brett got bally self-conscious, and before he d finished he d tangled his platoon in a devil of a mess, and he couldn t get em straight again. LIEUTENANT BRETT And my sergeant was about as green as I was. I shouted every order at em I knew, and the more I shouted, the more they tied themselves into knots, and all the time this chap Smith looked at me in such a way that I felt I wanted to run away and leave em to it. As I passed him he said to me quietly, "May I suggest, sir Single file, and half sections right; " and some how I couldn t resent it, for I realized he was one of us. MAJOR One of you or one of us. [He winks at CAPTAIN-] LIEUTENANT BRETT [Continuing cheerfully] I mean, sir, that he s held a commission at some time. He s no more Private Smith than I m Lord Roberts. [15] MAJOR Do I gather from all this, that you chaps mean that Smith is a likely sort of man to be recommended for a commission? LIEUTENANT BRETT I do, anyway, sir; and I was talking to Blackstone about him last night. You know he s been through Sandhurst and he says he s sure he met Smith there, and that he was gazetted soon after Blackstone went up. CAPTAIN CRANE There s no doubt of his having been an officer but I guess there s something fishy about it, and personally I shouldn t like to recommend him just because of that, and because he s a gentleman. MAJOR I d like to have a look at him anyway. Brett, tell my orderly to bring him over here, will you? [BRETT salutes and goes out.] How are the machine gunners going? CAPTAIN CRANE Pretty good, sir. [Enter LIEUTENANT BLACKSTONE.] LIEUTENANT BLACKSTONE Captain Morrison, Company B, reports two more cases of typhoid, sir. MAJOR That s bad. See that they are isolated at once. LIEUTENANT BLACKSTONE I ve done that, sir I sent them over to the emergency. [He salutes and is about to go out when the MAJOR stops him.] [16] MAJOR Oh, by the way, Blackstone, Brett tells me there s a ranker here called Smith. He says that you met him at Sandhurst. Well, you know we re very short of officers, and we are trying to weed out any likely men. What do you know about Smith? LIEUTENANT BLACKSTONE I don t know anything of "Smith," sir, but I knew a chap called Graylen who might have been Smith s twin brother. He was gazetted to the guards six months after I went up. Didn t know much of him personally except that he was one of the Gray lens of Herefordshire. MAJOR Was there a scandal? LIEUTENANT BLACKSTONE [Hesitates a moment] I really couldn t say, sir. [Enter BRETT.] LIEUTENANT BRETT Private Smith s outside, sir shall he come in here? MAJOR If you please. LIEUTENANT BLACKSTONE Will you excuse me, sir? If the poor devil wants to forget he s been a gentleman I ve no wish to stay here and remind him of it. [Salutes and goes out. There s a knock at the door.] [17] MAJOR Come in. [SERGEANT enters and salutes smartly, fol lowed by PRIVATE SMITH who also salutes.] No it s not a reprimand, Sergeant. I won t require you. SERGEANT Very good, sir. [Exit-] MAJOR [To PRIVATE SMITH] Your name is [He hesitates.} SMITH Smith, sir. MAJOR Oh yes, I remember. Well, I ll come to the point at once. We are short of N. C. O. s, and officers. It may be necessary to make some field promotions and I have instructions to look out for likely material. Lieutenant Brett has recommended you as being a capable man. I want you to answer some questions. [He stops, looks at him for a moment, and then adds quietly, as if speaking to an equal.] You can answer them as you see fit. I have no desire to be personal. SMITH Thank you, sir. MAJOR First Have you at any time before served in His Majesty s forces. SMITH Am I compelled to answer that, sir? [18] MAJOR I think you d better. SMITH [Hesitating a second] No, sir. [BRETT looks as if he is about to explode.] MAJOR Is your real name Smith? SMITH Yes, sir. MAJOR I don t think I m making my point quite clear. It has been suggested to me that you went through Sand hurst, and have held a commission. If this is so, I want no details why you are in the ranks. What I want to know is Do you, Private Smith, on your word of honour, consider yourself free and eligible to ac cept a commission in His Majesty s army should opportunity arise? SMITH I thank you, sir, for the interest you and Lieutenant Brett have taken in me, but for reasons which I would rather not explain, I do not consider myself fit for the trust you suggest placing in me; nor could I under any circumstances avail myself of it. But again, sir, I thank you. MAJOR You may go Private Smith. [SMITH salutes and goes out.] [19] LIEUTENANT BRETT Well, I m damned! MAJOR [Gathering up his papers and putting them into a despatch case] Well that s the end of the Smith episode, and I fancy the details would be very unpleasant. [To CAPTAIN.] Scratch him off your list. And now we ll go over to the Power House, and take up our new quarters. [There is a tramp of feet outside and a sharp com mand: "Halt!" BRETT goes to the window.] LIEUTENANT BRETT It s the bunch to take up this billet, sir. MAJOR [Moving towards the door] All right see everything s ship-shape, Brett, and have this [indicating his despatch case] sent over to me. [Exit MAJOR, followed by the CAPTAIN. SERGEANT knocks at the door and enters.] SERGEANT Orders to billet eighteen men in here, sir. LIEUTENANT BRETT That s right, Sergeant. We ve cleared out all our kit except the Major s box. Have that sent over to the Power House. SERGEANT Very good, sir. [He salutes and exits. LIEUTENANT BRETT also exits and the stage remains empty for a moment. Then [20] a scuffle of feet and about a dozen privates come noisily into the room. In a moment, the whole place is thrown into confusion, while rifles are being stacked, and accoutrements taken off. There is much good humoured chaff and shouting. The SERGEANT takes the despatch case under his arm, and exits. A CORPORAL enters with a letter bag. He stands at the door and calls out names: {t Hudson Williams Dot Barton." The four named men rush over and take their mail and attempt to read. During this, there is the clatter of men starting a game of cards, cleaning bayonets, and general commotion. ] DOT [Shouting] Shut up ! I m trying to read a letter. [He throws his hat at a man who persistently plays a mouth organ in his ear. After a moment or two things become quieter and he continues reading his letter to SOAPY, who is also endeavouring to read. ] "You ll be glad to ear as I ve kep me word an give im the" now what do you make of that word, Soapy?" SOAPY Oh, chuck it H m, I m attending to my own corres pondence. DOT Yes, but it won t take you a minute. Ere you are the fourth line down : "You ll be glad to ear as I ve kep me word an give im the" now what s the blooming [21] word. Looks like "squab," but it ain t wouldn t be any sense, "give im the squab." SOAPY Ask the tuppenny toff he ll tell you. DOT No blooming fear, I don t want no Gawd-forsaken dukes mauling my girl s letters about. SOAPY He s all right if you rub him the right way. DOT I would like to rub im in an ant hill. SOAPY He ain t a bad sort if you give him a chance. It ain t his fault if he has been a gentleman. DOT I suppose it ain t his fault he ain t continued to be one. What s he want here at all ? No good, mooching about all day looking as if he had lost his knitting. Look ere, when we do get into action I hopes they put im and all the other gentlemen rankers over the top first. They would make a nice soft bed for us chaps to flop on. [Turns to men.] Who s got a button stick? [Nobody takes the slightest notice.] Now don t all speak at once. [He finds button stick and begins cleaning buttons, singing, "It s the wrong way to tickle Mary."] [22] SOAPY [Who has been looking about] Ere where s my socks? They were on that bench a moment ago. You got them, Dot? DOT Got what ? SOAPY My socks. DOT No don t wear em. SOAPY Well, somebody swiped em up. I believe you ave got em. Go on, open your shirt. [The two men start a good natured rough and tumble. The others are laughing and urging them on. During this PRIVATE SMITH has entered and sees that DOT and SOAPY are beginning to lose their tempers- He goes over to him.} SMITH Why not take it easy, you will get all the scrapping you want later on. DOT [Getting up] Course you must stick your nose into it. Perhaps you d like to have a go. A couple of rounds would do you a bit of good, knock some of the starch out of your thin skin. [There s a general laugh from the men.] [23] SMITH [Hesitating for a moment and then quietly] That s where you make a mistake, my friend. I am not thin-skinned. [He goes over to the table and be gins to write. DOT follows him.] DOT Not thin-skinned, ain t yer? Well, what s the matter with you then? Say, boys, the "tuppenny toff" would like to go ome. Frightened he ll get hurt out ere. [SMITH is slowly losing his temper. DOT picks some thing up from the floor.] Here, Soapy, ere s yer socks. SOAPY Oh, where was they? DOT Somebody s been cleaning their boots with them, I should think. [Picks up his letter which he has dropped during the struggle, winks at SOAPY, and goes over to SMITH, who is writing, and continues.] Here, me Lord Duke, what do you make of this ere word ere? Yes, and you don t need pass no rude remarks about the writing. SMITH [Trying to make out what the word is] It looks to me like "shove." DOT [Snatching the letter] That s it "shove." [Reading aloud.] "You ll be glad to ear as I ve kep me word an give im the shove." [24] I thought it was "squab." [Turning to SMITH.] Now look ere, I don t want you to make no aristocratic jokes about that letter. She may not be a swell writer, but I m fond of that girl. [SMITH takes no notice.] Oh, you can laugh. Of course we ain t good enough for you. Of course we are only a lot of bloom ing Tommies, but if you ve got any respect for your personal beauty you will keep your mouth shut about that letter, or I may do a bit of damage to your figure head. SMITH [His temper getting the best of him] I wish you would leave me alone, I am trying to write. DOT Trying to well, don t you know how? Ere, let me guide your and for you. [He makes as if to do so. SMITH jumps up and throws him off.] SMITH Now look here, I have stood this long enough. You dislike me because I am what you are pleased to call a "Gentleman Ranker." I am not thin-skinned and I am not stuck up. I have no reason to be when it comes to that. I am not as good as the worst of you. You are only "Tommies" you say. Yes, but you have all got some one waiting for you, praying for you. I ve no one, not a single soul, who would care a jot if I got killed tonight. Mind you, I am not complain ing. It s my own fault. I ve forfeited all right to that. Why am I, a gentleman, here in the ranks, you ask? [25] Why? Why, because they won t have me anywhere else. Because it s the only place where a poor devil can get back his self-respect, when he hasn t got the pluck to put a bullet through his head. I haven t the pluck, so I am waiting for a friendly shot from the enemy to buy me out, and set me free. SOAPY Yes, but I- SMITH I don t want your sympathy and I don t want your chaff. If I can t get your friendship, I don t want your hate. Just cut me out, give me the go-bye as the rest of the world has done. That s all I ask, that s all I can expect. [He sits down again at table.] DOT [Going over to him] Sorry if I urt your feelings, mate. We don t mean no arm, only our swank. Ere, ave a bit of baccy." SMITH [Smiling] Not just now, thanks. DOT Well, come over to the canteen and I ll stand you a pint. SMITH [Laughing] Righto, I ll join you later. [26] DOT Right you are. Come on, boys. [All the men get up and start following him to door L.] Ere, where s Sloper? [The men push a tall thin private forward.] Oh, there you are ! It s your treat and you don t slope this time, if I have to stand you on your ead and shake the money out of you. SLOPER Come on, boys. [ They all go out, laughing and talking. ] SOAPY [W ho is about to follow the others, stops at door. Takes a tin box out of his pocket and comes over to SMITH, who is again writing.] I ve got a cigar ere, one that was given me in the old country. You can have it if you like. SMITH No really, thanks, Soapy. SOAPY Take it, just to oblige me. [SMITH does so.] I d rather ave a woodbine any day. [Gives SMITH a match.] Do you think there is any chance of us getting into action soon, sir? SMITH Order may come any minute. They will be hard pressed as soon as they establish a line. SOAPY They tell me that the old chief, what s in command up there, is a real ard nut. SMITH [Casually] Oh what s his name? SOAPY I don t rightly know. I did ear, but I forgot. Still it don t matter much. SMITH No, nothing matters much. Look here, Soapy, you have been very decent to me and I am going to ask you if you ll do me a favor. When we get into action, if I don t come through, will you drop a line to the lady whose name and address are written here? [He hands SOAPY a sealed envelope.] Just say that D. G. has gone under. She ll know who you mean. SOAPY She ll be sorry to hear it, no doubt, sir. SMITH I don t think so. It might interest her, that s all. Give her a topic of conversation to entertain her friends with. It would be quite a tit-bit for a certain Club I could name. "Dear me," they d say, "and so he s dead. Perhaps it s the best thing that could have hap pened to him. What a fool he was. Couldn t run straight, you know, couldn t keep inside the rails with all the fine prospects that he had. Don t you remember the affair? Broke his father up completely, and his mother" [very quietly] yes his mother. Well, you ll do that for me, Soapy, will you? [28] SOAPY I opes it won t be necessary, sir. SMITH I wish you wouldn t call me "sir." It reminds me of things I am trying to forget. [A bugle is heard in the distance. There is a lot of shouting and general com motion outside. DOT rushes in, followed by the men. ] DOT It s come, it s come! SOAPY What has come? DOT Orders for the firing line ! We have got to get out at the double! [During this, there is a great commotion at the back. The men putting on their belts, water bottles, etc. As each one gets his kit together he snatches a rifle from the rack and goes out. DOT and SMITH are left alone on the stage. DOT rushes to door, getting his rifle.] DOT Hurry up, sir, if you want to be numbered in the first roll call. SMITH I do. I want to be numbered in the roll call where a man may be judged, not by what he has been, but by what he is. [He snatches his rifle. Exit. The stage and the market square are left empty for a moment. In the distance can be heard the marching of feet and [29] the regimental band. The MAJOR and LIEUTENANT BRETT walk across the square. They hesitate for a moment at the window.] LIEUTENANT BRETT By Gad, sir, we got that lot on the move quickly. What do we do when they have gone? MAJOR Oh, then we ll wait for the Reserves! [ They pass on. The stage is again empty. In the dis tance the band can be heard to strike up the strain of "It s a Long Way to Tipperary." The Troops take it up as they swing into line, and as they get further into the distance, above the tramping of feet, faintly the words can be heard, It s a long way to German South West, It s a long way to go, It s a long way to German South West, where the dust and diamonds grow, Good-bye, dear old Cape Town, Farewell, Leicester square, It s a long, long way to German South West, But we ll get right there. It dies away in the distance as the curtain slowly falls.] SCENE II A part of the Veldt, showing a vast expansion of fiat country, with kopjes in the distance. A small emergency tent, as protection from the sun, has been rigged up on the Left. At the opening of the scene, two nurses are seen helping a wounded soldier [30] across the stage. They are followed by two Red Cross stretcher bearers carrying a soldier on a stretcher. DOT and SOAPY enter from Left. They are in full kit and carry their rifles slung over their shoulders. As they pass the stretcher, SOAPY looks at the face of the man lying in it. He takes off his helmet. DOT looks and does likewise, and the stretcher passes on. SOAPY Did you see who that was? DOT Who? SOAPY Sloper. DOT What? You don t mean our old Sloper. SOAPY Yes, I guess he got it in the neck doing his bit at the Devil s Pass. There ain t a bloke done duty at that pass what ain t come back plugged. [He looks at DOT S face.] Cut you up a bit, ain t it? DOT Yus, things is pretty rotten all round, ain t they? SOAPY We ll be all right when they get s through to relieve us. DOT Yes, but are they coming? It s only a bloomin chance. I card the old man talking last night. He was trying to kid the others as ard as he could, but I could see, and so could they, he didn t really believe it isself. We ve been left ere to separate the German and Dutch forces. We re a forlorn hope, mate, and none of us ll ever see the sea again, I ll bet. SOAPY Well, if it s good enough for the officers, it s good enough for me. Ain t the old man and the others good sports, working like blooming orses and yet they re as cheerful as crickets. DOT All except the Tike. SOAPY Who is he? DOT Lieutenant Harford. SOAPY Arford, oh, im ! I don t look upon im as an officer at all. He always reminds me of a blooming rabbit when the guns start to play a tune. But the others are toffs. Lieutenant Arford is fit to batman for em. DOT Yer right. He ought to be in Lockharts with a lemon in his mouth. [With a far-away smile.] We ll all be dead as pork soon. SOAPY You re a cheerful bloke, ain t you? What s the matter with you today? [32] DOT Well, I need a smoke, and I m always down- earted when I need a smoke. [Enter COLONEL GRAYLEN, accompanied by two orderlies. DOT and SOAPY salute.] COLONEL GRAYLEN What are you men doing here? SOAPY [Very sheepishly] Nothing, sir. COLONEL GRAYLEN Well, go back. Take all the rest you can. You ll be in action again before day-break. [He turns and gives instructions to orderlies.} DOT [Whispering to SOAPY] I shouldn t like to tread on his corns. SOAPY How do yer know he s got any? DOT Must ave. All officers as corns. Colonels as the biggest, and when they gets to Generals they ave bunions with corns inside of em. [Enter LIEUTENANT HARFORD. He returns DOT S and SOAPY S salute, and they go out.} LIEUTENANT HARFORD [To COLONEL] Captain Wentworth, Company B, wants to know if he shall detail men, or call for volunteers for the pass tonight? He s having difficulty there. [33] COLONEL GRAYLEN Yes, it s very extraordinary. Some of the men have been killed there in the most mysterious manner, and it s always at night, and yet the listening posts hear nothing, and it s well within our boundary. I scarcely like to say it, because I know it s absurd, but it looks like the work of some-one inside our lines. LIEUTENANT HARFORD What makes you think that? COLONEL GRAYLEN The pass, or the Devil s Pass, as the men call it, is, as you know, a gap between the two mountains, and is so small that only one man can pass through it at a time. It is our strongest position. [He looks round as if afraid of being heard, and continues in a low tense voice.] I tell you, Harford, things are getting des perate. LIEUTENANT HARFORD Yes, sir, and the difficulty now is to get a man who ll stick to his post. COLONEL GRAYLEN Oh, come, Harford, it s not as bad as that surely. [Enter VIOLET LEE. She is a Red Cross nurse. Looks very tired and nervous. While she is talking she is continually rolling bandages and gives one the impression that she feels she must be doing some thing.} [34] VIOLET [To COLONEL] Can t something be done for the men? They are almost starving. COLONEL GRAYLEN Now, dear, it s all right. We are doing all we can, you especially; believe me, you must take some rest. VIOLET How can I rest when I see all this going on round me? And it s worse since the river was poisoned. We simply can t go on like this. COLONEL GRAYLEN [With forced cheerfulness] Wait till the relief gets through. VIOLET It will never get through in time. COLONEL GRAYLEN [Severely] Never let the men hear you speak like that. VIOLET They know it as well as we do. Can t something be done? There s only one bottle of brandy left in the hospital. LIEUTENANT HARFORD That s better than I thought. I understood the last was finished two or three days ago. VIOLET Not quite the last. Some one told me you had two, so I commandeered them. [35] LIEUTENANT HARFORD [Uneasily] But really I VIOLET Yes, stole them. Rummaged your kit until I found them. LIEUTENANT HARFORD [A little annoyed] But really my own brandy given to the men! VIOLET Yours! It s His Majesty s brandy for His Majesty s army. LIEUTENANT HARFORD You allow your sympathy to carry you just a little too far. After all, there is some difference between the men and myself. VIOLET [Pointedly] Yes, and on some occasions a very noticeable differ ence. I am very sorry I cannot return the brandy I stole, but I shall be obliged if you would return the locket you stole from me. COLONEL GRAYLEN Violet, please. VIOLET So he did. He stole it, for what he calls a keep sake. Well, I want it. I value it. It was the last thing Dick gave me. [36] COLONEL GRAYLEN I have repeatedly asked you not to mention his name to me. VIOLET He is your son. COLONEL GRAYLEN He was, but he is as dead to me as though he had never lived. VIOLET [Soothingly] No, dear, you don t really mean that you couldn t. He is your son, the son of your dead wife. COLONEL GRAYLEN He s dead too. VIOLET Yet you would forgive him as she would have done. COLONEL GRAYLEN Never. VIOLET I wonder where he is now? COLONEL GRAYLEN Heaven knows! Gone under, I expect. [Dismissing the subject.] Harford, what report did the new ob servation post make? LIEUTENANT HARFORD Nothing fresh, sir. They are still bringing up the reinforcements. They ve been at it for days. [37] COLONEL GRAYLEN Double the out-post tonight. They won t hold off the attack much longer and I think [Enter CAPTAIN WENTWORTH. They salute each other.] CAPTAIN WENTWORTH [To COLONEL] Ammunition pretty short, sir. Shall I reduce the rounds again? COLONEL GRAYLEN It would be as well. It must also be impressed on the men to hold their fire. We ll need every cartridge soon, or I am very much mistaken. CAPTAIN WENTWORTH Very good, sir. COLONEL GRAYLEN Didn t you suggest calling volunteers for the pass? CAPTAIN WENTWORTH Yes, sir, I took the liberty of doing so, sir. COLONEL GRAYLEN Was that necessary? Don t you think they can be trusted to stick to their posts? CAPTAIN WENTWORTH Yes, sir of course but well, they are all a bit ner vous and sick, and they are as superstitious as a lot of school girls, and well the place hasn t got a healthy reputation. COLONEL GRAYLEN Did they volunteer? [38] CAPTAIN WENTWORTH Why, yes, the whole lot, and I picked out a likely man, Private Smith trustworthy, I should imagine, and superior. COLONEL GRAYLEN Send him to me. I would like to speak to him, myself. [WENTWORTH salutes and goes out R. with HARFORD. COLONEL crosses towards tent, hesitates at entrance a moment, then quietly.} Violet, do you really dislike Harford? VIOLET Intensely. COLONEL GRAYLEN [Gravely} I am very sorry. I had hoped one day that that VIOLET We should marry? COLONEL GRAYLEN It would have made me very happy, and I think your father would have wished it. When your father died, two days before you arrived in India, I promised him that you would always receive from me the same care and affection as if you were my own daughter. The affection you quickly won in your own right, and when you became engaged to my my son [he looks away as he says the word] it was the great wish of my life materialized, because I saw, or thought I saw, your future happiness assured, and because I loved you both. [He changes his tone.] But when he chose to become a common thief and passed out of our lives, [39] I realized I was much older than I had imagined, that that I might not always be here to guide you, and I wanted to see you happily married. First, because I love you ; second, because of the pledge to my old chief. VIOLET You have more than kept that, dear. COLONEL GRAYLEN When the trouble came when he made my name an unpleasant by-word through the whole country when the Sunday press had the audacity to publish my photo as the father of Lieutenant Graylen of the Guards, who was wanted on a charge of forgery and who had fled the country, when VIOLET Don t, dear, don t, you only hurt yourself by recalling it. [Almost to herself.] He must have had a reason. COLONEL GRAYLEN A reason yes he played cards and backed horses [bitterly] a splendid reason only he wasn t a million aire, so couldn t keep it up, and found he could write my signature better than his own I would rather a hundred times have become a pauper than the bank should have found it out. VIOLET I know, dear, I know COLONEL GRAYLEN Just after that Harford began paying you marked at tentions. Attentions which I thought did not appear unwelcome to you. [40] VIOLET They were unwelcome, but I had my pride I couldn t bear to let people see just how much I was hurt. COLONEL GRAYLEN I didn t realize that, and when you begged me to use my influence to get you out here as a nurse, I had an idea that you wished to be near Harford, and I had grown much attached to him myself but I see now it is not to be. [With a smile.] Why, you quarrel like a couple of school children. [There is a chal lenge heard off: "Halt Who goes there?" Pause "Pass, friend, all s well.] Ah, the volunteer for the pass I should like to get at the bottom of this mys tery. [HARFORD enters and stands by VIOLET. PRIVATE SMITH enters and marches up to COLONEL GRAYLEN. They are about to salute each other, when the mutual recognition of both occurs simultaneously.] SMITH Dad! [He recovers himself, coming stiffly to the salute. ] Sir VIOLET [Almost inaudible.] Dick! [There is a moment s silence.] COLONEL GRAYLEN So, sir, not content with having brought disgrace upon your family, not content with breaking and evading the law, you now see fit to disgrace for the second time His Majesty s service by your presence here in the ranks. [41] SMITH I have no answer to what you say, sir, except that I have yet to disgrace myself in the ranks. COLONEL GRAYLEN You ll do that quickly enough. [ VIOLET makes a move.] Where are you going, Violet? VIOLET I am going to shake hands with Private Smith. LIEUTENANT HARFORD Really, Miss Lee. VIOLET Will you oblige me by minding your own business? COLONEL GRAYLEN I forbid it. VIOLET I am sorry to disobey orders, but I am afraid it can t be helped. [She shakes hands with SMITH, then says simply and quietly.] I just wanted to say that I am glad to see you here in the ranks it it will help you to get back your self-respect. COLONEL GRAYLEN [Grimly] He never had any. [HARFORD smiles. SMITH is about to make some retort, but thinks better of it and re mains at attention. VIOLET gives the COLONEL and HARFORD a quick look of reproach, turns quickly and goes out.] [42] COLONEL GRAYLEN I take it your volunteering for this duty is a direct insult to me. SMITH No, sir I was hoping we should never meet again. COLONEL GRAYLEN So was I. SMITH I had no wish to cause you further pain. COLONEL GRAYLEN Pain it s a matter of indifference to me you shall stand by your offer and do sentry duty tonight at the Devil s Pass. SMITH Thank you, sir. COLONEL GRAYLEN It is my duty to warn you that certain men have been killed there in an unusual manner, apparently by a blow on the head, but I have doubled the out-posts, and I see no danger if you can be trusted to stick to your post. You may go. SMITH Thank you, sir. [He is about to go.] COLONEL GRAYLEN And if we are fortunate enough to get out of this alive I will have you transferred. If it were not for your mother s memory I would hand you over to the police. [43] SMITH I understand how you feel, sir. It is useless for me to say I am sorry, but I want you to know I would give my life s blood to undo the past. COLONEL GRAYLEN You may go. [SMITH salutes, right-about-turns, and marches Right. HARFORD stops him.] LIEUTENANT HARFORD I haven t forgotten your insults to me, Graylen, and I shall take the first opportunity of settling the account. SMITH If I am ever again fortunate enough to meet you on an equality when you cannot have me court-martialed nothing will give me greater pleasure than to give you a taste of what I ve learned from the boys in the ranks. I can t call it fancy work, but about five minutes of it would put you out of action quicker than anything I know. [He salutes. Exit. HARFORD looks about ready to explode with temper. He turns quickly to the COLONEL, who has been silently watching his son.] LIEUTENANT HARFORD Did yoU hear that, sir? COLONEL GRAYLEN I did and damn me, he d do it too ! LIEUTENANT HARFORD But it s rank insubordination. What shall we do about it, sir? [44] COLONEL GRAYLEN I don t think we can do anything. There is no satis faction in kicking a man when he s down. LIEUTENANT HARFORD If I may be allowed to say so, sir, I think you are far too lenient with him. COLONEL GRAYLEN [Eyeing him curiously] You think so, Harford? LIEUTENANT HARFORD He never showed you any consideration. COLONEL GRAYLEN [IV ho does not appear to have heard the last remark] What name does he call himself? LIEUTENANT HARFORD Oh, Smith, I think. COLONEL GRAYLEN [Unconsciously speaking his thoughts aloud] Gad, but I am glad to see him here in the ranks. LIEUTENANT HARFORD Yes, but he ll impose upon it. He knows you don t want a scandal, and he ll either trade on that, or else he ll boast about it to all the men that his father is the officer in command. Of course you can t have him sent to the base, because we are surrounded but I really think something should be done. Why, it isn t fair to Violet that he should roam about at large. His [45] very presence must be an awful embarrassment to her. Don t you think it would be better to place him under arrest on on some technical charge? [The COLONEL does not answer him. During all the last speech he has been looking off Right, apparently deep in thought. Since the meeting with his son, he appears to have aged, and when he speaks his tone is less aggressive.] LIEUTENANT HARFORD [Louder] Don t you think so, sir? COLONEL GRAYLEN [Realizing, with a start, that he is being addressed] I beg your pardon. I I was thinking. LIEUTENANT HARFORD Oh, of course, sir, I understand you were wondering what infernal fate sent you and Graylen to this God forsaken hole of all places. COLONEL GRAYLEN [Quietly] No. I I was wondering what fate sent Private Smith. CURTAIN SCENE III It is at the foot of a typical African mountain. Typ ical, except for the fact that there is a pass or gap running through the centre of the mountain, which [46] is only large enough to permit one man or horse to pass through it at a time. It is an ideal natural fort ress. A few men commanding the mouth might easily keep a whole army at bay. There are several large boulders near the pass, and a particularly large one flush with the mountain on the Left. It is a bright star-lit night and the moon gives the pass a curiously steely blue appearance. At the rise of the curtain, the solitary figure of PRIVATE SMITH is seen standing with fixed bayonet, looking down the pass with his back to the audience. For a moment there is silence, then the stillness is broken by the sharp crack of rifle fire in the distance, and a bugle is faintly heard then again silence. PRIVATE SMITH commences to pace a few yards to the right and then to the left, but always with his eyes on the pass. He pauses and listens intently a faint tap ping sound can be heard it is hard to locate SMITH puts his ear to the ground near the large boulder, left, and listens. In a few moments the noise ceases and he resumes his pacing with a puzzled expression on his face. There is a sharp snap of a twig and a light foot-step is heard from the left. Instantly his rifle is pointed in that direction and the challenge rings out SMITH Halt! Who goes there? VIOLET If you promise not to shoot, I ll tell you. [She comes towards him and he lowers his rifle.] (47] SMITH Violet, what are you doing here? Go back Go back, this is madness you ll get killed for heaven s sake go back at once ! VIOLET I had to come. For two years I ve longed to see you, to hear the whole truth. I have at least the right to an explanation. SMITH Yes, dear yes. I will tell you everything tomorrow, but go back now. VIOLET If there is so much danger, tomorrow may be too late. SMITH No, dear, no if only you will go back everything will be all right. VIOLET Why didn t you write to me? SMITH I was too much ashamed, I had humiliated you enough, please go back, dear. VIOLET [Not attempting to move] You humiliated me more by never sending a word. SMITH I tried to write a hundred times, but what could I say? I couldn t say it was a moment s folly, every man says that when he has behaved like a blackguard I couldn t hope for forgiveness, I could only hope you would soon forget. [48] VIOLET [Quietly] Do you think women forget so easily? [He doesn t reply, and there is silence for a moment. She looks up into his face and says earnestly.] Dick, why did you do it? SMITH Why ? Why, because I was a contemptible, weak fool. Even my love for you wasn t strong enough to make me give up the empty, shallow things of life. When the other fellows in the Regiment used to bet in thous ands I tried to keep up with them my allowance wouldn t stand it I got into debt. I owed Harford quite a tidy sum of money. One night I heard him say to Major Towns that he thought I never intended to pay that he was beginning to look upon it as a gift. When I heard that my blood boiled I can t tell you how I felt I really think I did go mad. I I always disliked Harford and I felt I would rather die than be under an obligation to him for another hour I signed my father s name to a cheque. Then I paid Harford back the money I owed him, in the presence of the entire Mess. I was so mad, I insisted he should take interest I insulted him in every way I could, until I was sent to my quarters by the C. O. I can t tell you what I went through that night. I began to realize what it would mean to you and Dad. Next morning the C. O. suggested that I should ask for leave of absence pending an inquiry into my ungentle- manly conduct of the night before. For three days I suffered the tortures of Hades my one thought was [49] to save you and Dad the shame of it. I d have put a bullet through my head, but when I thought of you both, I hadn t the pluck. I tried everywhere to raise the money. At last I succeeded, but I was a few hours too late. The bank had found it out, and well, you know the rest. [VIOLET turns her head away, so that he shall not see the tears in her eyes.] I am telling you all this, not to excuse myself, because there is no excuse but because you have a right to know, and I wanted you to see it, if you could, from my point of view. I can t expect your forgiveness, I can t even hope that you will understand. VIOLET Yet love understands many things. SMITH Violet, do you mean that that? [He looks eagerly at her.] That you could still find it in your heart to forgive me? VIOLET [Looking straight ahead] I I think so if you asked me. [He takes her quickly into his arms and kisses her there is a sound of marching feet they spring quickly apart.] SMITH Quick, dear the Relief Sentry they mustn t see you. Turn sharp to the left and follow the oxen track until you get to the dressing station, then straight through to the line. VIOLET [Hurrying left] Until tomorrow then. SMITH Until tomorrow. [Exit VIOLET. SMITH remains at the mouth of the pass with his rifle at the slope. As the marching of feet comes nearer he brings his rifle to the challenge. Six men march towards the pass in double file. They are in charge of DOT, who is acting as Temporary Corporal. DOT Halt! [The men do so.] SMITH Who goes there? DOT Picket Company B. SMITH Advance one and give the counter sign. [DoT ad vances to SMITH and gives the password in a whisper. SMITH again brings his rifle to the slope.] All s well. DOT [To Picket] Stand at ease. [The men bring their rifles down with a sharp click, then lean on them in various attitudes of tiredness. DOT looking them over with the keen eye of a newly made N. C.] I said, Stand at ease not sit. [To SMITH.] Look at em, like a lot of bloomin cab orses. ONE OF THE MEN [Good humor edly] Bit tired, Corporal. DOT Which bit? [Smiling.] Tired, me lad. Why, you had a good sleep the day before yesterday. [To SMITH.] Anything to report, sentry? SMITH Yes, Corporal. DOT Well, let s ear it quickly, me lad, or [indicating picket] the cab orses will be starting in on their beauty sleep. SMITH Can I report to you alone, Corporal? DOT Ain t I getting exclusive " Shun!" [The men come smartly to attention, all sign of fatigue apparently vanishing they are once more part of a war ma chine.] "Section r r right!" [The men fall into single file.] Wait for me at the foot of Sixteen "quick, march!" [The men march out through the gap.] Now, me lad, what is it? SMITH What s the time, Corporal? DOT [Looking at watch] Five to twelve ; but you don t mean to tell me that you parted me from my pet lambs to ask me the time? [52] SMITH Five minutes from now I am to be relieved. I have been here since eight, during that time I think I ve discovered something. You know several sentries have been killed here in a mysterious manner well, if you will do as I ask, I think we can clear up the mystery. In a few minutes I shall be relieved and marched back to the line well, I don t want to be marched back to the line, I want to remain right here. DOT What s the game? SMITH Will you let one of the pickets take my place? He ll be relieved in a few minutes any one of them will be glad to do it and get a night s rest. DOT And you want to come along with me in the Picket? SMITH No, I want to stay right here and work on my own. [Quickly.] There s no time to tell you any more now. Will you do it? I know it s breaking regulations, but you may be doing your country a service will you do it? DOT If I got copped, the old man ll eat me alive. SMITH Wouldn t you like to know how "Sloper" was put out? Quick, there isn t a moment to lose will you do it? [53] DOT If you think there s a chance of plugging the bloke wot did poor old Sloper in sure, I am with you. [He holds out his hand to SMITH, who shakes it.] SMITH Quick, get your man. DOT Half a jiffy, I ll have him back here in two shakes. [He rushes off and SMITH is again alone at the mouth of the pass. He examines his rifle carefully to make sure it s in good working order, and takes a quick glance to the right from whence he expects the re lief. He sees no one, remains still for a few moments. Then the faint tapping sound begins again, this time a little louder, and he goes quickly to the big boulder and listens. The sound grows louder still. He makes a quick examination of the boulder, then his eyes catch sight of a small shining object on the ground. He picks it up and takes it to the mouth of the pass, where the light is stronger. He examines it a moment, then puts it quickly into his pocket. As he does so DOT, followed by another man, hurries in.] DOT Have we made it in time? E ll do it for yer. [In dicating other man.] E s so grateful, probably want to adopt you afterwards. [SMITH takes the object which he has picked up out of his pocket and shows it to DOT.] SMITH What do you make of that? [54] DOT [He takes it] Why, it s a button off a German tunic. SMITH Exactly. Now I want to break another regulation. Instead of going on your round, stay at the foot of the hill for half an hour, and if you hear a rifle shot bring your picket back here at the double. Do you under stand? DOT Ere, I ain t quite on to this yet. SMITH I ve no time to explain now. Quick, here s the relief. [To the other soldier.] All you got to do is to stand here and take your relief and keep your mouth shut when you get back. THE MAN Right you are, mate. [There is a sound of marching Right, and SMITH hurries DOT off, leaving soldier in his late position at the mouth of pass. The sound of marching gets nearer, and the RELIEF SENTRY marches on in charge of a SERGEANT.] SERGEANT Halt! [The formality of changing guard takes place and the SERGEANT marches off his men in the direction from which they came, leaving a new man at the mouth of the pass, who proceeds to pace up and down. A tapping sound is again heard, this time quite loud. [55] After a moment the SENTRY hears it, then looks about him nervously. At that moment there is the sound of a sudden foot-step from the left and LIEUTENANT HARFORD enters. SENTRY points rifle and challenges.} SENTRY Advance one and give the counter sign. [HARFORD steps up to the point of his bayonet and gives the pass-word. ] SENTRY All s well. LIEUTENANT HARFORD Anything to report, sentry? SENTRY I don t rightly know, sir ; I ve only been on duty about a minute, but I think I card a sound like shovelling. LIEUTENANT HARFORD Where from? SENTRY Sounded as if it came from the ground, sir some where over there. [Pointing to boulder, left.] LIEUTENANT HARFORD Letting your imagination run away with you? Any way, let s have a look. [He walks left to boulder; examines it.] I don t see anything unusual here. SENTRY No, I didn t see anything, sir, but I thought I heard a noise just over ere somewhere. [He goes over and bends down. As quick as a flash HARFORD brings the [56] butt of his revolver down on the back of his head. With a moan the man sinks to the ground insensible. HARFORD consults his watch then drags the man, Right, away from front of boulder and with butt end of his revolver taps the rock sharply seven times. There is a pause, then the boulder slowly revolves, showing the mouth of a dark tunnel running through mountain. Three men in German uniform quickly spring from the darkness. One is an officer CAPTAIN LEHMAN. He goes up to LIEUTENANT HARFORD. They salute.] CAPTAIN LEHMAN Ich gruesse Sie, Herr Lieutenant. LIEUTENANT HARFORD Gruesse, Herr Hauptman. CAPTAIN LEHMAN You are punctual, my friend. You had no trouble with the sentry? LIEUTENANT HARFORD Not much. [He points to the insensible form of the sentry, Right.] What are the orders, Herr Captain? CAPTAIN LEHMAN Der Herr Oberst commands me to inform you that the attack must take place tonight. There is a British relief force less than a hundred miles away and the tunnel is now complete. If we can use it undisturbed for a few hours we can pour in sufficient troops to take and hold these positions. Reinforcements can come through both the pass and the tunnel. We have [57] troops already massed on our side of the tunnel. If all is well here we can begin operations at once. LIEUTENANT HARFORD All is ready here, Herr Captain. The sooner we teach these English swine a lesson the better. I spent ten years of my life among the pig-headed officers of the British army, but it was worth it for the cause of the "Fatherland." I cannot tell you how grateful I am to know that before sun rise tomorrow I shall again be among my own people. CAPTAIN LEHMAN You have done well. There is no time to be lost. I will hasten to inform my Herr Oberst. One moment [He takes a powerful flash lamp from one of his men and gives it to LIEUTENANT HARFORD. While he is doing this the form of PRIVATE SMITH is seen creeping towards boulder, Right. He reaches its shelter un observed by the Germans.] Take this and when all is ready flash "Dash two dots" as usual. In a few minutes the troops will be through the tunnel and our work will have begun. [He moves as if to re-enter the tunnel, followed by the men.] LIEUTENANT HARFORD [Stopping him] Everything is ready now, except for the fact that the Colonel himself is making the inspection of the out posts. He is bound to come here, as he naturally can not understand the deaths of the sentries so far inside the lines. What if his escort should arrive before we are ready? [58] CAPTAIN LEHMAN They are numbered how many? LIEUTENANT HARFORD Oh, not more than six but it might be very awkward. CAPTAIN LEHMAN In that case I will leave my orderlies with you. Three of you, with good cover and taking them by surprise, should be able to account for them easily. [To German soldiers.] Wartet hier mit Herren Lieutenant Har- ford und folgt seinen Befehlen. [He salutes LIEU TENANT HARFORD.] Auf Wiedersehen. LIEUTENANT HARFORD Auf Wiedersehen, Captain. [The CAPTAIN disappears through the mouth of the tunnel. HARFORD indicates to the men to put the boulder back into position. They salute and do so. HARFORD places one man Right and the other Left, then consults his watch again. Goes to the mouth of the pass and with the flash light is just about to give the signal, when SMITH S two hands shoot out from the side of the boulder, grasp him by the ankles, and with a quick jerk HARFORD S legs are pulled from under him. He lands heavily on his face. In a moment SMITH is kneeling on his back and his rifle rings out. The German Left falls, shot. The German Right fires hastily at SMITH ; not wait ing to take aim his bullet misses its mark. Before he can again fire DOT and the picket rush in and a couple of bayonets are placed against his back and [59] he drops his rifle and throws up his hands in sur render. ] DOT [To GERMAN] There s a good boy do as yer mother tells yer. [During this SMITH has taken HARFORD S revolver and sword from him and allowed him to rise.] SMITH So you are a spy, are you? [Two of the men go to the fallen sentry who begins to show signs of life and place him in a sitting position on boulder, Right.} DOT [Excitedly] We see d it all. Didn t fancy leaving you alone so we sneaked round back the other way ; then we riggled up ere on our tummies just behind you and waits. They was all for rushing in but I knows you ad some little game, so I made them wait but when we see d little Fritzie ere getting nasty with is pop-gun we ops in and joins the party. [Looking at HAR- FORD.] Ain t you a parlor snake? SMITH Good man, Dot you saved my life. LIEUTENANT HARFORD Why the Devil don t you put a bullet in me and get it over. DOT Because we like your ciety. You don t know how funny yer look. [60] ONE OF THE MEN The old man and his escort coming along the track. [HARFORD makes a start forward. SMITH covers him with a revolver.] SMITH Stay right where you are, you are going to see this through. DOT [Who at the very mention of the COLONEL S name loses all his cheerfulness] Will you tell im, mate, I always loses me breath when he comes near me. SMITH [Smiling] Oh, I ll tell him all right. LIEUTENANT HARFORD For God s sake, shoot me and put me out of my misery. [Suddenly all the men become stiffly erect, then come smartly to the salute as COLONEL GRAYLEN, followed by CAPTAIN WENTWORTH and his escort, appear. COLONEL GRAYLEN is unable to realize what the situation means.] COLONEL GRAYLEN What is the meaning of this? Release Lieutenant Harford immediately. SMITH May I report first, sir? COLONEL GRAYLEN Yes, go on. [61] SMITH Lieutenant Harford is in reality a German spy, sir. We captured him with these other two Germans after they had put our sentry out of action. We pre viously heard them arrange with a German Captain for a surprise attack tonight through a tunnel running from the German lines to here. The plan being, to gain admission to the inner line without disturbing our out posts, the attack from rear and front cutting our forces in half relying on our shortage of men and the confusion of a quick thrust to take these positions. COLONEL GRAYLEN Surely, this must be some hideous mistake. Harford? [HARFORD does not reply.] Harford, you can ex plain f DOT It s quite right, sir look [goes over to boulder and tries to move it, but it is too heavy. Some of the men go over and help him, and the boulder is pulled slowly back.] CAPTAIN WENTWORTH Good Lord! [Looking down tunnel] It must have taken them weeks to make it. SMITH Harford arranged with a German officer to flash dash two dots with this. [Picks up torch.] That is the signal for them to send the troops down the tunnel. COLONEL GRAYLEN What is the meaning of this? Have you anything to say? [62] LIEUTENANT HARFORD Yes. I don t want any of your darn sermons. I am German and I m proud of it now get it over as quickly as you like. COLONEL GRAYLEN Place that man under arrest. [Two men take up position both sides of HARFORD.] Keep him under strong guard. He will be dealt with according to the regulations of war. [The other German is brought up with HARFORD, and they are both marched off under escort. The wounded German is also taken off.] I thank you Private Smith for what you have done. [To WENTWORTH.] Have a machine gun section brought here immediately. [WENTWORTH salutes and rushes off.] What was the signal for them to come through? SMITH Dash two dots, sir. COLONEL GRAYLEN They are probably well into the tunnel now waiting for the order to rush through. We had better wait a few minutes. Go in a few yards, Sergeant, and listen. [The SERGEANT goes into the tunnel and lies down with his ear on the ground.] SMITH The German officer also said, sir, that there is a British relief within a hundred miles of here. COLONEL GRAYLEN Thank heaven for that. They are probably trying to locate our whereabouts. [63] SMITH Do you think they will succeed unless some one gets through to tell them just where we are, sir? COLONEL GRAYLEN It is impossible to get through. We are hemmed in on all sides. I couldn t afford sufficient men to even make an attempt. We must wait and hope. Do you hear anything, Sergeant? SERGEANT No, sir. DOT Machine gun section coming, sir. COLONEL GRAYLEN Give me that torch. [He takes it from SMITH.] Now, dash two dots. [He flashes the signals. WENTWORTH rushes in followed by machine gunners. At a word from him they quickly mount their guns.] CAPTAIN WENTWORTH Took them from eighty-three, sir sent word for others to take their place quicker that way. COLONEL GRAYLEN Good. Do you hear anything, Sergeant? SERGEANT Not yet, sir. [The machine guns are now mounted and ready for action.] [64] COLONEL GRAYLEN [To WENTWORTH] Take up position at the mouth of the tunnel. [WENT WORTH gives a sharp command and two machine guns take up the position.] SERGEANT [At mouth of tunnel] Can hear a sort of rumbling noise but a long way off, sir. COLONEL GRAYLEN Good. Carry on, Sergeant. [SERGEANT goes back to his position on the ground.] Corporal! [DOT comes smartly to the salute.] My compliments to Major Allard. Tell him to send me here every man he can spare and machine guns, and tell him to "carry on" until he receives further instructions from me. [DoT salutes and hurries off.] It s as well to be prepared, Wentworth, in case the guns should jam. CAPTAIN WENTWORTH Rather, sir but as soon as we open fire they are bound to get in a panic in that narrow tunnel they ll all get jammed to blazes. When they have retreated we can dynamite the tunnel and put an end to it. SERGEANT They seem to be a bit nearer now, sir. COLONEL GRAYLEN Good, carry on. SMITH May I make a suggestion, sir? [65] COLONEL GRAYLEN Yes. What is it? SMITH A few moments ago you said you couldn t spare the men to try and get through to the relief but you can spare one man. Will you let me try? COLONEL GRAYLEN How do you mean ? SMITH One man might be able to work his way through I think I can. I ve got a compass and a fair idea of the country. Will you let me try? COLONEL GRAYLEN It would be certain death. SMITH Will you let me try? COLONEL GRAYLEN [Hesitating a moment, then quietly] When do you want to start my boy? [He says the last two words under his breath.] SMITH Now, sir. There is bound to be a lot of confusion when they find out about the tunnel. It may give me a better chance. May I go, sir? COLONEL GRAYLEN You have my permission to try. [SMITH makes a movement as if to go.] [66] CAPTAIN WENTWORTH Take extra water bottles and bandoliers you will need them. [The men offer their water bottles to SMITH, who takes two and slings them across his shoulder, also an extra bandelier. Several men offer him biscuits from their haversacks, which he takes and puts into his own.] SMITH With your permission now, sir, I am ready to go. COLONEL GRAYLEN In case we do not meet again, I wish you good luck and God speed, Private Smith. [He holds out his hand SMITH grips it. There is a faint cheer from the men. SMITH salutes, turns sharply, and is gone.] SERGEANT [Rushing out of tunnel] Tramping of feet quite near, sir few hundred yards, I should think. COLONEL GRAYLEN Captain Wentworth, let them have it. [The officers draw their revolvers and the men group themselves behind the machine guns. A faint noise can be heard corning through the tunnel. CAPTAIN WENTWORTH raises his hand.] CAPTAIN WENTWORTH Machine gunners, take aim f-i-r-e ! [As the crack of the bullets and the spurt of flames emerge from the guns the curtain quickly falls.] [67] SCENE IV [The curtain remains down thirty seconds to denote the passing of three weeks. At the rise of the cur tain the scene is the same as Scene III except for the fact that where the tunnel was, is now a mass of debris the results of an explosion. It is early dawn and the atmosphere is hazy. At the mouth of the pass stands SOAPY. A Corporal and a Private are kneeling beside him. They are looking intently at something in the distance. In the foreground, DOT and eight other men are sleeping, rolled in blankets. Stacked in the centre of them are their rifles, ready for emergency. There is the continual boom of big guns in the distance.] SOAPY Them guns aint stopped for six hours. Can t under stand where they re firing. Nothin comin in this direction. CORPORAL Blimy look ! I told you I see d something an hour ago. HUDSON There must be thousands of em coming out of the valley. They re coming straight for us. It s all up with us. Ere, Dot! Dot! [He goes over to DOT, and with a kick awakens him. The other men also awaken and grab their rifles hastily.] DOT [Half asleep} Wot is it? [68] HUDSON [Rushing back to pass] It s come ! It s come ! DOT Wot as? SOAPY Our last hour. DOT Well wot d yer want to wake me up for? SOAPY Enemy advancing, not a quarter of a mile away [more excited] millions and millions of em. What s the matter with the out-posts? Why ain t they re ported? Ere, quick! Somebody send word down the line. [A man rushes off to do so. By this time all the men are at the pass.] DOT The nerve of em marching up just as if they was on parade. SOAPY Wot s the matter with our guns ? Why ain t they firing ? DOT [Very agitated] Ave the staff gawn mad ? SOAPY Ain t it wicked ! Wish I could see a bit better. DOT Yes ! Damn the mist ! [There is the faint sound of drum and fife, but so far [6 9 ] away that the tune is inaudible. The men stop talk ing and listen; then there is a general murmur.] SOAPY And they ve got a band with em too! blimy, what a nerve ! DOT Look ! Look ! can yer make out that officer coming at the ead of em Like a bloomin turkey cock Who s got a cartridge? I m out can plug im from ere. [One of the men hands him a cartridge, which he jams into the breech, and brings his rifle to his shoulder taking careful aim. At that moment, CAP TAIN WENTWORTH rushes in seeing DOT about to fire he stops dead.] CAPTAIN WENTWORTH [In surprise] What the devil are you doing? DOT Enemy on us, sir taking a pot shot. CAPTAIN WENTWORTH Hold your fire, you imbecile, can t you see they re British? DOT British? British? well, I m blowed! [There is a cheer from the men, and the sound of the drum and fifes comes nearer.] CAPTAIN WENTWORTH I thought everyone knew. They ve been hammering away all night. Didn t you hear the guns? [DoT nods [70] his head stupidly-] At three o clock this morning, they completely routed the enemy, who are now re treating in disorder with our cavalry on its heels. [There is another cheer from the men. The sound of the music is more distinct now; they are playing "The Girl I Left Behind Me/ ] The General and his advance guard, coming to pay his respects to the Colonel. Look alive there let them think you ve en joyed the last three months. [They all come smartly to attention as COLONEL GRAYLEN enters with his staff, also VIOLET and several other nurses. They all hurry to look through the pass. By this time the music is quite near.] COLONEL GRAYLEN Splendid! Just in time to meet them. [The band stops at the end of a strain, and a dozen or so men of the Imperial Light Horse march in through the pass. They are "Halted" by the SER GEANT and "Present arms" to COLONEL GRAYLEN. LIEUTENANT BRETT enters briskly. He is as breezy as ever, but looks a little older, and very tired- He goes to COLONEL GRAYLEN and salutes.] LIEUTENANT BRETT Colonel Graylen, I believe, sir? COLONEL GRAYLEN [Holding out his hand] Happy to meet you, Lieutenant er ? LIEUTENANT BRETT Brett, sir late Transportation Staff now I. L. H. The General s compliments, sir. He will be with you [71] in a minute. [With a broad smile. ] Gad! but it s been a thick night, sir! COLONEL GRAYLEN Afraid we were not much help. As soon as I knew your forces were in touch with the enemy had to hold my fire didn t know whom I might be hitting. LIEUTENANT BRETT Quite so, sir. [COLONEL GRAYLEN introduces LIEUTENANT BRETT to his staff officers, and then the nurses.] COLONEL GRAYLEN And this is my ward Miss Lee Lieutenant Brett. LIEUTENANT BRETT [Taking her hand] Are you Miss Violet Lee? VIOLET Yes, why? LIEUTENANT BRETT May I speak to you alone for a minute? I have a message to deliver. [VIOLET gives him a quick, shy smile they move Left. The command rings out "Eyes front" and COLONEL SIR CHARLES AMES comes through the pass followed by his aide-de-camp. Every one salutes, and he and COLONEL GRAYLEN shake hands.] COLONEL GRAYLEN I cannot tell you how grateful I am, Sir Charles you were just in time. [72] SIR CHARLES It is indeed an honour to be of service to so distin guished a soldier as yourself. We have many mutual friends in India. [By this time VIOLET and BRETT have moved out of sight-] COLONEL GRAYLEN I was beginning to lose hope my stores and ammuni tion are practically gone. And when it was reported to me last night that you were within ten miles of us, I think I was the happiest man in all Africa previous to that I had no knowledge that you were even in the vicinity. SIR CHARLES It s very lucky we found you at all. We were strik ing too far west, and if it hadn t been for that man of yours finding us I don t think we should ever have found you at least in time. Gad ! he had some pluck. Pretty badly shot up when he found us don t think he d eaten for days but he stuck to it even made a map of the way he came. If Private Smith doesn t get a V. C. it won t be my fault. I ve sent my recom mendation. COLONEL GRAYLEN Where is he now? SIR CHARLES Oh, he died the day he reached us ; we buried him west of Kloof-Smith. [The COLONEL becomes suddenly erect, and stares straight before him.] [73] COLONEL GRAYLEN [Very slowly and deliberately} Sir Charles, if Private Smith is awarded the V. C. will you be so kind as to see that it is sent to me? SIR CHARLES [Rather puzzled] Well I er thought of having it sent to his people. COLONEL GRAYLEN I am proud to say, Sir Charles, that Private Smith was my son. [In a whisper.] God rest his soul. CURTAIN [74] AS A PAL CAST OF CHARACTERS ERB, a linen-draper s assistant TED, his pal, of the same ilk CYNTHIA, a maid NANCY, a Brixton flapper SCENE *ERB\y lodgings somewhere in Belham [ORIGINAL CAST] RB Mr. Compton Cootes TED Mr. Charles Douglas NANCY Miss Doric Sawyer CYNTHIA Miss Hilda Sims AS A PAL "None but the brave deserve the fair" SCENE Typical of the cheap suburban lodging-house. On the walls are the usual pictures of the dear departed members of the family. In the centre is a small round table, on the right of which is a dilapidated couch, just large enough to hold two with comfort. On the left of the table is an antiquated horsehair armchair, with most of its padding protruding. The door is in the centre to the right and when open shows a mean little passage which leads to the street door. On the mantelpiece are the usual china dogs, and other knick-knacks, most of which proclaim loudly that they are presents from Margate, South- end, etc., etc. The remainder of the furniture is in uniform sordidness. At the rise of the curtain RB is discovered with box ing-gloves on fighting an imaginary opponent. He is a flashy, weedy individual a typical shop-boy of London Suburbia. He is dressed with infinite care although in the most obvious bad taste. His socks [77] and tie might easily put the combined colours of the Allies to shame. He makes a left upper-cut at his imaginary opponent when the door opens and CYNTHIA stands in the opening surveying him with contempt. By courtesy we will call her a servant, though being maid-of-all work, perhaps drudge would be more appropriate. She has no respect for place or persons, her sole recommend being a sharp tongue. CYNTHIA [Quietly] Ain t you a fool ! ERB I don t want no cheek from you, my girl. CYNTHIA Your girl! You flatter yerself, don t yer? [Puts tea- tray on table with a bang.] Ere s yer tea and ere s yer cakes. I opes the young person will like em. ERB [In a superior manner] Now look ere, my girl, I ve told you before it s my cousin wot s coming to tea. CYNTHIA Yes ! Long lost cousin ! Must ave lost er senses if she s gone on you. [She moves towards the door.] Cousin ! You can t kid me ! You wouldn t waste threepence on cakes for no relation! [78] RB [Raising his voice] I tell you, my girl [Exit CYNTHIA, slamming the door. RB takes off the boxing-gloves and tries to find the most conspicuous place in which to put them finally deciding to deposit them one on each side of the tea-tray. He puts on his coat, goes to the mirror, and surveys himself with care takes a little comb out of his vest pocket and rearranges his hair. He is evidently pleased with the effect, and commences to whistle "Let s All Go Down the Strand." The door opens suddenly and CYNTHIA appears. Behind her is TED. He is much the same type as RB, though much slower in speech, and gives one the impression of being not quite so quick-witted. He is dressed for cycling in the approved suburban manner, Norfolk coat knee-breeches cheap cycling hose with atro ciously coloured tops, a very high double collar and a broad check cap.] CYNTHIA Ere you are. TED Give us a kiss, duckie. CYNTHIA Give us a chance! [Exit.} RB Ted, my old pal, I m glad ter see you. [79] TED Wot are you after? [Moves down stage.] ERB Sit down and make yourself comfortable. [TED looks at him distrustfully.] Ere ave a nice cake. TED Ain t yer well? So long! [He makes a movement as if to go.] ERB Ere, wait a minute, Ted ! Ted, you got my letter at the shop asking you to come round here, didn t you? TED Yes. ERB Well, listen, Ted. I want you to stay to tea. I ve got a little scheme, and I want you to elp me with it. TED It can t be done. I ve ired a bike ninepence an hour going into the country, Tooting way. It s outside now. So long ! [He again makes a movement towards the door.] ERB Ted! Ted! [Going towards him.] I ve got a girl coming round to tea. TED [Rather undecided] Is she bringing a friend? Course not! [80] TED Well, so long! [He reaches the door.] RB [Catching TED by arm and pulling him down centre} Listen, Ted. She s a peach prettiest girl I ever see well connected too oh yes er father keeps a public ouse down Brixton way. [With a far-away smile] She s just crazy about me won t look at another fellow. TED Won t she? Well, so long! My bike s waiting. ERB Well, let it wait ! TED Yes, but ninepence is ninepence. [Looks at his watch.] Your love affair has cost me threeha pence already. [Makes another attempt to go; RB stops him.] ERB I ll make it all right. Now listen, Ted! I want you to elp me, as a pal. This girl Nancy s er name she come into the shop about a week ago, and while I was serving er, we got talking and chatting, you know, and I could see by er eyes she rather admired me. This ain t no laughing matter, Ted! So that night, after the shop closed, I took er to a picture palace. We got on fine together. Well, when the ero in the picture threw the villain and is orse over the cliff, she says getting old of my and "Ain t that splendid?" And I sort of taken back, and not knowing quite wot ter [81] say, says, "Oh, that s nothing !" Then she looks at me with them big eyes and says, "I believe your a ero, only you re modest, that s wot s the matter with you, your modest." And she give me and another pinch. Then she went on and told me ow she admires a manly man, a man that wasn t afraid of nobody. Wot are you laughing at? Now don t you go, Ted. I ain t got to it yet. TED Well urry up my bike s waiting. RB Well, you know wot I am with the ladies, Ted. I told er the tale a bit you know things I d done men I d beat TED You couldn t beat a carpet. RB [Ignoring the remark] Well, she s coming ere today, Ted! [Pointing to the gloves.] I borrowed these boxing-gloves just to im press er, and, as a pal, Ted, I want you to stay and, just casual-like, make up a few things wot I ve done. TED [In amazement] Wot ave you done? RB That s neither ere nor there. Just make em up. [82] TED [Blankly] Make wot up? ERB Tell er wot a ero I am ow I ain t afraid of nothing. TED That s the only thing you ain t afraid of. ERB [Ignoring the interruption] For instance just as I m anding er a cup of tea, and she and me is laughing and olding ands, you, casual- like, says, "That reminds me of the time, Erb, when you thrashed that big fisherman down at Ramsgate, for breaking that little kid s spade on the beach." TED But you broke the kid s spade, and the fisherman nearly kill ERB [Quickly] Just twist it round. Needn t go into details. TED Wot do I get out of it? [In an off-hand manner] I wouldn t insult you by offering you anything, Ted. TED Well, so long! [83] ERB Ow much do you want? TED Give me that silver cigarette-case you won at the whist-drive. ERB [Earnestly] I would gladly, Ted, but I ve lost it. TED Well, so lo ERB All right I ll give it yer. Now as a pal, Ted, you ll see me through? Now yer understand? All you ve got to do, is to make me out a ero. TED [With sudden inspiration] I ll tell er you re Dick Turpin ! ERB Don t tell er I m anything. Just tell er all the brave deeds wot I ve done. TED Righto! Give us your cigarette-case. ERB After she s gone. TED I d rather ave it now, you might forget. ERB You are ard- earted. [84] TED You are ard- anded. [ RB hands him the cigarette-case, first carefully tak ing out a dilapidated cigarette. A distant clock strikes four.] RB [All of a flutter] She s due ere now. [He rushes to the mirror.] Ow do I look, Ted? Wot do you think of my tie? And my air, look at my air! TED "Two-in-One" RB Oh, I nearly forgot ! Listen, Ted ; slip across the road and get three threepenny cigars. TED [In amazement] You ain t arf coming out of your shell! Three pennies? Yes, three pennies. [With a lordly air.} Want to do the thing proper. And ask em to give you an empty box to put them in. [He gives TED a shilling and bustles him out. He again surveys himself in the glass; puts on the boxing-gloves, and is just beginning to shape up, when CYNTHIA enters.] CYNTHIA Your cousin s outside. She s asking for Erbert, don t seem to know your other name. [851 RB [With kingly air] Ask er in ere, my girl. [There is a slight pause, and NANCY appears on the threshold. She is a pretty little flapper of about eighteen, very pert, and for her class is dressed rather modestly. Her outstanding features are big trustful eyes.} NANCY [Quietly] How do you do? RB Ow do you do? [There is a long pause; neither of them moves. At last, in approved shop-walker style.] Step this way, please. [He indicates the couch t and she sits.] NANCY What s the matter with your hand? [In delight.] Why, it s a boxing-glove. Have you been boxing? RB Well not exactly boxing. [Getting his second wind.] You see when I won the championship my trainer made me promise to put em on once every day, to remember him by [Finishes lamely.] Silly wasn t it? NANCY Silly! [With enthusiasm.] I think it s splendid! And are those the gloves you won the championship with? RB Yes [hesitating] the same gloves. [86] NANCY [Eagerly] And is the blood still on them? ERB [Looking at them doubtfully] No, I washed em. NANCY And I suppose you wouldn t part with them for any thing in the world? J RB [Casually] I ad thought of giving them to the Museum. NANCY [Romantically] I always dreamed that one day I should meet a man like you a man without fear whose motto is, "A word and a blow." ERB [Modestly] Only in defence of the weak. NANCY Of course. Last night, when I got home I was think ing of all the things you d told me. Tell me, how did you feel when you had that great bully on his knees crying for mercy? ERB [Noncommittal] Just ordinary you get used to it. But I ve done with fighting now, Miss Price. [87] NANCY Last night you called me Nancy. RB [Coyly] Nancy ! As I says, I ve done with fighting now. All I want is a nice little ome, and a nice little [During the last part of the speech TED has entered.} TED [Pointing at them playfully] I caught yer ! RB [Rushing over to him] If it ain t my old college chum, Ted Arris! [TED looks in blank amazement. RB grips his hand and shakes it vigorously.] RB Well, who d V thought of seeing you! TED [Blankly] Why you just sent me out. Ere s your cigars, ancl I ve got a box to put em in, threepence change. RB An* e s brought me a nice little present. Thank you, Ted. [He looks at NANCY.] Allow me to introduce you to my old college chum, Mr. Ted Arris. [TED comes down stage and stands next to NANCY.] Miss Nancy Price, Mr. Ted Arris: Mr. Ted Arris Miss Nancy Price. [88] [NANCY puts out her hand, TED doesn t see it. She withdraws it. TED sees this, and puts out his. As her hand is gone, he withdraws his. Eventually they shake hands.] NANCY [Looking into TED S eyes with a sweet smile] Glad to meet you. TED [Gazing into her eyes} Same ere. [There is an awkward pause] NANCY [Still looking into his eyes] It s been a nice day. TED As it? [Another pause.} RB [Cheerfully] Yes Ted and me s been chums for a long time now, ain t we, Ted? TED [Still looking at NANCY] Nigh on a year now. [Another pause.] RB Come and sit down over ere, Ted. [Indicating the chair farthest away from NANCY. NANCY sits on the couch, and pats the vacant seat. TED looks at ERB smiles and sits down beside her. Another awkward pause.] Yes, we ve been good chums, and we ve ad some adventures, eh, Ted? [89] TED [Noncommittal] Not arf ! [He never takes his eyes off NANCY.] RB [With enthusiasm] I ll never forget that fisherman at Ramsgate Ee TED [Paying no attention to him] You ain t been in London long, ave you, Miss Price? RB But I never could stand brutality NANCY [Coyly] Only about eighteen months, Mr. Arris. RB [With less vigour] To see im it that kid was more than flesh and blood could stand TED [To NANCY] What part do you come from? ERB I made one rush at im NANCY Reading ever been there? ERB And with a swift upper-cut [90] TED Can t say I have. ERB [Finishing lamely] Ee went down such a wop. TED [Pulling himself together] Who did? ERB That fisherman at Ramsgate. Don t yor remember Ted don t yor remember, Ted? [He winks violently at TED. TED glances at NANCY. She smiles sweetly at him.] TED No, I mblowed if I do! ERB [In an undertone] Give me back that cigarette-case. TED You gave it to me. ERB Yes, I gave it you for TED [With a broad smile] For what? ERB [Quickly] Let s all ave some tea. Now you sit ere, Ted [indi cating a chair on the opposite side of the table] and, Nancy, you sit ere next to me and [91] NANCY [In a superior manner] When we have friends at home in the drawing room, tea is handed round. [During this speech TED has risen and is centre. He runs quickly back to the sofa, and sits on the other side of NANCY, leaving NANCY S back to ERB.] NANCY Did you ever see Erb box? TED [Off-handedly] Oh yes, ee ain t bad, but ee ain t in the same class with me. NANCY [Delighted] Do you box too? ERB Ee don t do much. TED Who don t? ERB [Winking] You don t. TED Don t I ? Who was it that saved you from the paper boy just outside the shop who ERB [Rushing over with a cup] Ere s your tea, Nancy. [He has left TED S tea on the far side of the table, and stands ready to take TED S [92] seat next to NANCY as soon as he goes to get it.] There s [pointing] your tea, Ted. TED [With a look at NANCY] Well, and it over. RB [In a fierce whisper] Give me back that cigarette-case. TED [Ignoring him] Yes, Miss Price, as I m always telling Erb, every man should know how to ERB Cake? [He offers the plate to NANCY, who takes one. TED also grabs one.] NANCY Thank you. TED Yes, thank yer. ERB Wouldn t you rather sit in the armchair, Nancy it s more comfortable? NANCY [Looking up at TED] I m very happy here. [TED, who has been eating cake, gives a playful giggle, and many crumbs fall out of his mouth.] [93] RB [Seising the opportunity] Ted never could manage his crumbs very well. [He makes another desperate effort.] Do you know, some how, we three, sitting ere together, reminds me of the day I won the Championship. [Gravely.] I shall never forget it. TED I m sure. NANCY Oh, do tell us. TED Yes do tell us. [Warming up to his work again] I d just stepped into the ring, and before the cheering had stopped, my trainer come over to me, and ee says [CYNTHIA enters.] CYNTHIA There s a man out ere, says ee s called for the boxing- gloves ee lent yer for the afternoon. RB [With a sickly smile] Boxing-gloves what boxing-gloves ? TED You know, the ones you won the Championship with. RB Oh yes, ee means ee wants to borrer them. I ll just go out and see im. Will you excuse me for a minute ? [94] [Exit RB. TED and NANCY look coyly at each other.] TED [In his best dare-devil manner} You ain t arf a one ! [He gives her a playful tap on the arm.} NANCY [Coyly] Now go on ! [She returns his slap a little harder. He gives her another playful tap. She replies with a hard push which knocks him off the couch. Before he can recover himself RB has entered and sits quickly in his seat. TED wedges himself in on the other side of NANCY, and the three are sitting in very cramped positions. } RB [With hidden meaning] Your bike s waiting, Ted. TED [Sullenly] Well, let it wait! RB Ain t you going for a ride? TED [With decision] No, I ain t. [Pause.] RB Won t you ave a cigar, Ted? There s one on the table. [He tries to entice TED to get them.] [95] NANCY Let me get you one. [She jumps up and goes to the table, and picks up the box.] Why, they re Corona Coronas ! They re the kind that father smokes. [She brings over the box, and hands it to TED and RB, who each take a cigar.] Wait a minute, I ll get you a light. [She turns up stage to the mantelpiece.] ERB [With a murderous look and in a hoarse whisper] Give me back that cigarette-case. [NANCY lights the cigars. Neither of the men has attempted to vacate his position on the couch.] RB Come and sit down ere, Nancy. [He indicates about three inches of seat on his left.] NANCY [Perkily] There isn t room. [She goes and sits right of the table- ] Ted ll make room for you, won t you, Ted? TED [Seeing that NANCY is seated on the opposite side of the room] With pleasure. [He goes over and sits on a chair next to NANCY leaving RB alone on the couch. RB looks ready to burst into tears.] [96] NANCY I suppose you boys have had a lot of adventures to gether. TED [ ERB gives TED a last pleading look] Oh yes, when we was at Eton and Oxford together. ERB [Correcting him] Oxford and Cambridge, Ted Oxford and Cam bridge! Ah! them was appy days! That reminds me [He is about to go off into another recital.] NANCY [Quickly] There s something burning! [She begins to sniff. TED hides his cigar. To RB.] I believe it s your cigar! [She takes it out of his mouth and examines the band.] Why, that isn t a Corona Corona it s a tuppenny! [She goes to the fireplace and drops it into the grate.] ERB [With a sudden dawning} Tuppenny! [He fixes TED with a cold stare. TED tries to look unconcerned.] Ere, and me over the change. TED [Defiantly] What change? ERB [Losing control of himself] Ere, you get outside this is my ouse. [97] TED Easy, my lad you ain t talking to a fisherman now. RB Ho! TED No! Nor winning championships. [He turns to NANCY.] Why, Miss Price, if I told you arf the things I d done, you wouldn t believe it. RB [With feeling] No, she wouldn t! TED [Losing his temper] Wot do you mean? Didn t I save you from the kid s mother, when you tried to take is fishing-rod away? RB [Almost crying] No, you didn t. Didn t I jump into the water to save a poor girl from drowning? TED And didn t I ave to jump in and save you both? Who saved you from that navvy, when you was bullying that little kid? RB You didn t. And ain t I the best fighter in the shops? And ain t I taught you all I know? TED [Raising his voice] And ain t I [98] NANCY [Soothingly] Now, boys, don t quarrel with each other, [slowly and with meaning] because you will both need all your courage and skill this afternoon. TED [Calming down] Eh, what! RB [Taking his tone] Ow s that? NANCY You remember, Herbert, I told you I didn t admire anyone who wasn t a righting man? Well, now you boys have both proved to me that you are more than able to take care of yourselves. I ll tell you why. Well, it isn t because I like fighting I hate it; but I was once engaged to a great big burly brute of a man. [ With a shudder. ] It was only his strength which ap pealed to me. Since I broke it off, he has been watch ing me, and if he sees me out with a boy, he waylays him and nearly kills him. [ RB swallows a lump in his throat. TED tries to speak, but finds his collar has got too tight.] When I think of that poor bank clerk only able to eat bread and milk for three weeks ! TED [With feeling} Poor fellow! [99] ERB [In a faltering voice] Ow old I mean ow big is ee? NANCY Oh, not more than six foot, but as strong as a lion. [Sweetly.] But then, of course, he hasn t your skill. ERB That s an elp. TED What what s is name? NANCY Bill. TED [With a shudder] What a nasty name. NANCY [Cheerfully] Do you know, he once walked to Leeds to fight a man he heard was sweet on me. ERB [Feebly] Did did ee find im? NANCY No, but he nearly killed a policeman on the way back. ERB [With a ray of hope] Perhaps we shan t meet im. [100] NANCY Oh yes, you will. [ RB and TED exchange a frightened look.] There s no escape from him. I sent him a note today, telling him I should be here with a nice boy at 4.30. [With a little laugh.] Round he ll come like a mad bull, but it will be his turn to go through it now. RB [Trying to smile] Yes, I don t suppose there ll be much of him left by the time Ted s done with im. TED [Quickly] Erb ll show im a thing or two. RB [In a frightened whisper] What time is it now? NANCY [Looking at her wrist-watch] Just 4.30. [There is a long pause and the distant clock chimes the half -hour.] TED Ere, let go of me. [He tries to push RB away, who is holding on to his coat, and make for the door. RB clings on des perately.] NANCY [To TED] Don t spare him. [101] TED [To RB] No, don t spare im. RB [Frantically] I ll let you ave im, Ted, just for old times sake. You know I ain t in your class. [TED tries to get to the door, but RB is clinging on to him TED pushing him off.] TED But you won the Championship. [Desperately.] Ere, let me go ! RB [Pleading] As a pal, Ted as a pal. TED Let me go, I say I ve got an appointment. ERB I ll come with you. TED [Still struggling to get away] You can t I m going on my bike. ERB I ll come on the step. NANCY [To TED, with dignity] You re not afraid, are you? [102] TED Afraid! [Throwing out his chest and indicating ERB.] Erb afraid! You do im a wrong, Miss Price. Why, ee s afraid of what ee ll do to this Bill when ee gets hold of im. Ee don t know is own strength, does our Erb. Why, if you d seen im it that fisherman [There is a loud bang on the street door. TED gives ERB a violent push and rushes out of the room like a frightened rabbit.] So long! [ RB is the picture of indecision and fear. His eyes search the room for the most formidable weapon. He seises the poker. There is another loud knock at the door. RB nearly jumps out of his skin. He barricades the door with the table, and piles the arm- chair on the top of it. NANCY looks on in amaze ment. He again seizes the poker and stands at bay behind the couch, the very acme of fear.] NANCY [Looking at the poker in RB S trembling hand] What s that for? ERB Ee might be armed. NANCY Who? ERB Bill. NANCY What Bill? [103] ERB [Feebly] Just Bill. NANCY Why, there ain t no Bill. [She smiles.] ERB [Hardly able to believe his ears] There ain t no Bill? NANCY No, I just made that up to get rid of that swank-pot of a friend of yours. [Losing a little of his fear] And there ain t no Bill at all? NANCY Of course not. ERB [A little bolder] And ee don t walk to Leeds to fight people? NANCY Of course not. RB [StUl bolder] Nor kill policemen ? NANCY I tell you, there isn t any Bill. [Striking an heroic attitude] It s a damned good job there ain t! [104] NANCY Why? RB [With a murderous look] Cause if I d a give im one punch NANCY Oh, Erb! J RB [In a Napoleonic voice] Ave no fear. I only raises my and in defence of the weak. [QUICK CURTAIN] LEAVE THE WOMAN OUT IN COLLABORATION WITH CHARLES KING [ORIGINAL CAST] RICHARD DOYLE Mr. Charles King J. K. RAIKE Mr. Leon Gordon THE FIRST MAN Mr. Charles Weymes LEAVE THE WOMAN OUT SCENE DOYLE S study, workroom, library what you will, it is a little of each. The most striking objects in the room are the big solid safe on a pedestal set against the left-hand side of the room, and the clock whose hands can almost be seen to move. Straight ahead of the spectator is a bay-window set in a deep recess, in which is a table covered with a microscope or two and their impedimenta. The fire throws a strong red glow right across the darkened room. The only door is on the left. In the middle of the room is a table, on which are familiar objects such as go to make a whiskey and soda, and also a rather murderous-looking paper- knife. The walls are lined with volumes not Morocco- bound classics, but dull-looking works of reference and an immense number of files. A massive bureau, with a telephone standing upon it, completes the list of essential details. For the rest, the room is in some disorder, the fireplace being littered with scraps of paper. Boots, golf -clubs, fishing-rods, are heaped in the corner. RICHARD DOYLE, a sharp-faced, keen-looking man of about forty-five, is sitting by the fire, with its red glow full on his face. The telephone bell rings. He has evidently been expecting it, for he springs up immediately and takes the receiver. [109] DOYLE Hullo! Is that you, Harding? Any news? [His tone changes.] What! Oh, our friend left the house party just now with two men in the car. Did he? Coming in this direction? Yes, I m expecting him! [Quietly.] Yes, it s all up with him now there s a woman in the case! I broke into his flat yesterday, as neatly as he could have done, and came across a most interesting document a love letter from a lady a lady so much admired that I m afraid her reputa tion will suffer somewhat. Can t help that. Gives him away completely, and proves his identity beyond dispute. He ll run any mad and foolish risk to re cover it. Yes, he knows I ve got it. What? Yes I m quite alone. Don t you worry, I ll take care of myself. [There is a flash of light across the window. He picks up a small mirror and brings it to bear on the window behind him.] By the way, warn the local police for me. Goodnight. Go to bed. [He goes out quietly. Almost immediately there is a tinkle of glass, the window is opened and a man comes through with a flash-lamp on his stick. The curtains show there is a strong wind outside. He makes quickly for the door. The second man comes down to the middle of the room, looks round, and takes the third man s place at the window as he comes down. He carries a bag and strapped on his head is a band carrying an electric torch. He utters one word sharply, "Search!" They dive into the bureau, etc. He flashes his lamp on the safe, switches his head-light on, takes out a drill from his bag, sets the coil and begins drilling, a shower of [no] sparks surrounding him. He pauses a second, and the telephone bell rings, startling them all.] THE MAN Why wasn t that cut ! [He gathers up his tools.] Get! I ll keep Doyle here ten minutes. [He takes them by the arm enforcing his words upon them.] You ve got plans of his room upstairs. Search Search Search! If you get the letter, show-a-light-at-the- window, so that I, and I only, can see it. THE FIRST MAN [As he scrambles through the window] But, Raike, think of the risk! If Doyle should recog nize you ! THE MAN It s life or death and more. Get! [They go out quickly by the window. The MAN de liberately throws over a chair. In a second the lights go up, and DOYLE is standing by the switch with a revolver. He is confronted apparently by a broken-down, seedy-looking individual of about fifty. Shabby, dirty, and at the moment terror-stricken.] DOYLE Stop ! ! Keep your hands away from your pockets THE MAN Don t shoot, guv nor ! ! For Gawd s sake, don t shoot ! DOYLE Just as you like but keep your hands away from your pockets. Mi Mister what is the name? [in] THE MAN Bates, sir William Bates. DOYLE Then keep your hands away from your pockets Mr. William Bates. Now don t think I wish to presume on so short an acquaintanceship, but would you mind telling me what you are doing in my house? BATES I was starving, sir DOYLE And you mistook my house for a hotel, eh? BATES If you please, sir would you mind not pointing that there thing at me. It might go orf. DOYLE Would you mind turning out your right-hand pocket. [BATES turns it out quickly.] Now the other one, please! Come along! ! BATES All right, sir; all right there ain t nothing. [He turns it out.] DOYLE [Politely] Ah ! Now sit down, Mr. Bates, sit down. Make your self at home. [He waves his hand, with the revolver, to a chair by the table. MR. BATES takes it hurriedly and sits down nervously on the extreme edge of the chair.] That s right I hope you re as comfortable as you look now before I send for the police [112] BATES The perlice ! ! DOYLE Exactly. People in blue, who usually arrive when the row is all over. Can you show me any reason why I should not send for the police? BATES Yes, sir, I don t like em. DOYLE Well, I m only delaying the event out of personal in terest. Excuse me, Mr. Bates, but your attempted burglary was so appallingly amateurish that you in terest me vastly. Why, for instance, didn t you lock the door before commencing operations? The veriest beginner knows that. BATES [Sullenly] I am a beginner. DOYLE Really your first attempt? You re very ambitious. Even the oldest hands think several times before tack ling Richard Doyle. BATES What ! ! Are you Richard Doyle? The great "Tec" Oh my Gawd! DOYLE Oh, you didn t know that when you came? BATES No. DOYLE That s very disappointing. BATES [Pleading] I ain t a burglar at all, Mr. Doyle. I know I ve no right here, sir, but I was starving, it was only a meal I wanted. DOYLE [Lighting his pipe] I ll see you get well looked after soon. BATES [Desperately] Give me a job, sir, and you ll see I m speaking the truth. DOYLE A job? This is very unusual, Mr. Bates, a burglar wanting a job at 3 in the morning. Tell me, what can you do? BATES [Eagerly] I can do for you DOYLE What! BATES Do for you valet you, sir DOYLE Oh, I beg your pardon. I mistook your meaning. That s excellent, Bates. Because the man who usually looks after me left me only two days ago BATES Yes, I know DOYLE [In a flash] How do you know? BATES [Mildly] You ve just said so, sir. DOYLE H m. Allow me to remove your hat. [He examines BATES old cap and then its owner.] Well now, Mr. Bates, if you ve been a man-servant let s see what you can make of this room, it s in a dreadful state since my man was enticed away I mean, left me with out warning. Supposing, for instance I see you keep your own boots very clean now, start on mine over there. BATES [Getting up] Them boots over there? DOYLE "Them boots over there" exactly. If you ve been a man-servant you ll be used to the job, won t you if. BATES Use this brush, sir? DOYLE Yes, come along, Mr. Bates. [BATES sets to work by breathing vigorously on the boot.] DOYLE Bravo, Mr. Bates, that s the proper spirit. Ever been in the dock before, Bates? BATES Yes, sir once. DOYLE When was that? BATES May last. Marylebone Court. [US] DOYLE [Going to telephone] "May last Marylebone Court" BATES [Strongly] You ain t going to give me up, sir? DOYLE Oh, come, Mr. Bates ; you ve taken your first lesson in burglary, why not your first in gaol? BATES Won t you listen to me, sir DOYLE Certainly you go on with your boots, don t mind me. [At telephone.] Hullo! Put me through to Scotland Yard, please. Yes, Scotland. [BATES moves quickly to the window.] Now, Mr. Bates, go on with your boots and come in. [BATES resumes his brushing.] Now, whilst we re waiting, I m all attention. BATES My master, I was with him fer ten years, sir, then he died. DOYLE Did he, that was very tactless of him [At telephone.] Hullo! ! Scotland Yard? It s Mr. Doyle speaking, Mr. Doyle, yes. I want you to look up the record of one Bates yes, William Bates, May last, Maryle bone, convicted of of [to BATES] what was it, Mr. Bates? BATES Petty larceny. [116] DOYLE [Through the telephone] Petty larceny it was ! and as quickly as you can, please the gentleman s waiting for the answer What? have I heard any news of the cracksman? Oh, yes, when I get him [slowly] as I shall get him [to BATES] go on with your boots, Mr. Bates I can promise you a big sensation. Thank you. [Putting the receiver down.] Now, Mr. Bates, continue your sad story. BATES Well, I was out of work, sir, and the wife was ill. I went out day after day, but there was nothing for me. Then I went to a gentleman what I worked for before. They showed me into the dining room there was a couple of sovereigns on the mantelpiece all I wanted to save us both I couldn t elp it. I took em. They caught me and now, Mr. Doyle, give me a chance, sir, give me a chance. DOYLE Come, Mr. Bates, don t give way! Remember what is due to your position you re a burglar, remember now not a valet! [He picks up telephone receiver.] Hullo, yes? BATES [Wildly] You re going to give me up DOYLE Quiet ! ! BATES You are! You re going to give me up! [Making a dash for the table he seizes DOYLE S revolver and points it at him.} Mr. Doyle! I m a desperate man. I don t want to do you no arm, but if you don t come away from that there telephone I swear to Gawd I ll put a bullet through yer! DOYLE You can t. It s not loaded. [For a moment BATES is taken aback, and in the instant DOYLE picks a small repeater out of his pocket.} Now, this one is loaded! Drop it Mr. Bates, drop it! drop it! ! [BATES puts it down.] That s right. No, perhaps you d better hand it over here. Yes, come along. DOYLE [BATES hands it over. DOYLE takes it quickly.} You shouldn t take my word for all these things, Mr. Bates yours was the loaded one yes, that one. Sit down, Mr. Bates, sit down. [BATES sinks down into the chair by the table.} What s that? [At telephone.} Oh! "Convicted six weeks first offence." Thank you, that s all I wanted to know. [He rings off-} Come, Mr. Bates [he lays his hand on his shoulder}, don t give way, remember what s due to your position, you re a valet again now not a burglar. BATES You mean, sir DOYLE I ll give you another chance and take you into my service. BATES But, sir [118] DOYLE [Kindly] That s all right. You ve made a very good beginning. [Picking up his boots.] Now, Bates, your room is on the top floor, have your supper and go to bed. [As he goes.} Breakfast at eight-thirty, Bates and there is a bathroom. [He goes out. The moment he is gone, BATES springs up; in a second his hair, overcoat, etc., etc., have disappeared, leaving a keen, youngish- looking man in evening dress.] RAIKE [As he goes to the telephone] If Jimmy fails to find that letter [He cuts the tele phone cord. Then he goes to the window. He speaks to JIMMY outside.] Have you got it? Search then until you do. Leave this room to me. You know the signal? The light twice. [The man shows a flash on the window twice.] That s it. [Comes back, turns up the rug under which he has hidden his tools, puts on the head light, picks up his drill, connects it to the battery, and turns out the light, saying, "Come on, you can t stand against this," and he plies the drill round the lock, the sparks flying in all directions. The noise of the drill prevents his hearing the window softly open and DOYLE corn-ing through. He stands in the window and then comes quietly down until he can be seen in the red glow from the fire. Seeing the cracks man working like fury, he smiles and calmly takes a chair and watches. It is finished. The heavy door of the safe is wrenched open. With an exclamation of joy the cracksman puts up the lights and turns to find DOYLE regarding him gravely.] [119] DOYLE [Gently] Have you found what you want? [RAIKE makes a movement and in a second DOYLE is on his feet mean ing business.] Take care, you re no longer the harm less Mr. Bates, and I shan t have the same hesitation over shooting you don t worry yourself, that letter lies where neither you nor anyone but myself will ever find it, and tomorrow the world will be amazed at the identity of its J. K. Raike with the elusive author of so many famous robberies RAIKE [Angrily] Don t flatter yourself, the letter is here, I know, and my men can find anything I trained them myself DOYLE [Relaxing] Good! We shall see. Now let s have a look at each other. H m, so we meet at last. But I believe I am the first to meet you in your true capacity. RAIKE Yes, you ve been trying to meet me for some time. [Extending his hand.] How do you do? DOYLE And now I ve got you I m going to keep you. [Shak ing his hand carefully, ] I am quite well, thank you. RAIKE And how long am I to have this pleasure? [120] DOYLE I should say my friends will be here in less than five minutes. RAIKE Friends ? A little supper party in my honour, eh ? DOYLE No, an escort in your honour. RAIKE Police. DOYLE Police! I took the precaution of sending for them. [Pointing to telephone.] I keep another telephone be sides the one you so ingeniously cut! RAIKE In five minutes, you said? DOYLE Hardly that now. RAIKE Now look here, Doyle, it s not for myself I m asking It s for a woman. I want to appeal to you as a man, not a detective DOYLE I m a detective only. RAIKE H m, that won t do DOYLE Try something else RAIKE Supposing I say I ll give myself up if [but at this moment DOYLE S back is turned to the window. The [121] light of an electric torch is seen to flash twice outside. RAIKE sees it and he regains his self-confidence.] Now look here, Doyle as a sportsman. You say the police will be here in four minutes ? Well, it s now four minutes to four. I ll bet you a level two hundred pounds that I leave this room free, and have that particular letter that I came for by the stroke of the clock. DOYLE [Half to himself] Now what s the little game? RAIKE Is it a bet? DOYLE As a sportsman I ll take you. 200 and about [looking at the clock] four minutes to go! [showing revolver] Let s sit down and have a little chat we three. RAIKE Put away your revolver and I ll make it five hundred pounds. DOYLE Five hundred! You must be very sure of yourself. RAIKE I am. DOYLE So am I. So I ll take you 500 and less than four minutes to go. [The two men begin to watch every movement of the other.] Have a drink. [As RAIKE reaches for decanter.] No, don t trouble, I ll pour it out! [as he does so] a decanter is too much like a weapon. I have to be careful. RAIKE Yes, you re naturally suspicious, I suppose. [122] DOYLE Not at all. Have it neat. [As RAIKE takes it, his hand slides from the glass on to the table, but DOYLE picks up the unpleasant-looking paper-knife just in time.] And don t be childish and play with knives. [He takes that and the decanter, etc., away and lights a candle.] And let me warn you not to revert to physical force I happen to know a thing or two about that. RAIKE We each choose our own methods. DOYLE [Having lighted a candle] In case you should think of turning out the lights. [Looking at the clock.] Time s getting on very nicely. My friends will be well on their way here now. Get ting nervous? RAIKE Not a bit. Are you ? Ah, I forgot, you re not a man, you re only a detective. [They are sitting on opposite sides of the table.] DOYLE I m afraid you are inclined to be sentimental. RAIKE [Lowering his voice] I am. And I thank God for it, my cold-blooded friend. DOYLE That s why you re here now ; the moment I knew there was a woman in the case I knew there was no hope for you. RAIKE [Springing up and making for window] We shall see. DOYLE [Strongly] The window is closed RAIKE [Turning to the door] The window is closed ! DOYLE [Rising] And the door is locked ! RAIKE [Subsiding] And the door is locked. DOYLE Oh, yes. The door s locked we re quite cosy here. Sit down. [He edges round behind RAIKE, then goes quickly to the door.] At least the door wasn t locked, but the door s locked now ! [But he turns the key backwards instead of forwards as RAIKE swings round with his glass. ] Don t trouble to throw that ! ! ! RAIKE [Coolly drinking] Good health! DOYLE Cheer-O! Have a cigarette whilst we wait for the police? RAIKE Thanks ! [ DOYLE hands him a box.} DOYLE They re your own brand I brought a few from your flat yesterday thinking you might like them. RAIKE [Tapping the cigarette] You are thoughtfulness personified. DOYLE [Quietly] I wonder what your little game is you haven t long for it, you know don t trouble to feel in your pockets for a match use mine. [He gives him a light. RAIKE takes one puff and seizes DOYLE S wrist and bends it backwards, DOYLE slips his arm under, and forces it back again.] DOYLE And don t try physical force I warned you before ! ! [He throws him off.] RAIKE Nevertheless, my confident friend, I shall be leaving you in three minutes I m only warning you DOYLE Three minutes. [He walks to the window.} My friends will be at the top of the lane and coming towards us now sit down and wait for them. [Knock ing out his pipe.] And so the greatest cracksman of the day comes to grief directly there s a woman in the case. That letter to you charming though it is will form the most damning piece of evidence against you. Why Why did you ever let a woman meddle in your affairs. RAIKE I love her. DOYLE [Contemptuously] "Love her" ! RAIKE Doyle! Do you know what you miss by being in human? by being a machine? Why, man, when I think of all your dreary existence, I tell you that in the midst of all your greatest success, I pity you DOYLE Oh, indeed. RAIKE A woman can be worth any risk. DOYLE Even this ? Will she love you any more, do you think, when her name is associated with yours, at the trial RAIKE [S prinking up] Doyle you ! DOYLE Sit down, my friend. In [looking at the clock] two minutes from now you will be in the hands of the police and that letter will be as good as in the hands of the Public Prosecutor. [As the time goes the two men watch each other more and more intently. ] RAIKE Don t you be a fool. Listen to me. You want to bring this girl s name out into a crowded court, cross-ex amine her, torture her, have her humiliated by the humorists of the cheap press why? don t you realize what it means to one in her position? You ve enough proofs to convict me a dozen times, yet out of your hatred for the whole sex you choose this one, in which a girl whose only crime is that she stooped low enough to pity me shall be made to suffer. DOYLE You ll make her suffer not I RAIKE [Rising] We shall see DOYLE Sit down ! RAIKE [Throwing away his chair] Be damned to you fire your revolver, have a shot at me ! I tell you now, Doyle, you don t stand an earthly chance against me In half a minute from now I shall be free and that letter will be mine ! DOYLE In thirty second from now, you ll be in the hands of the police. RAIKE And do you think I shall ever allow a couple of village policemen to lay hand on me! I tell you in a few seconds DOYLE In a very few seconds [There is a loud knock in the distance.] Aha! my friend, you re luck s out!! RAIKE [Putting his back against the door] I think not ! You ve got to pass me to unlock this door ! DOYLE Oh, no! I took the precaution of unlocking it then instead of locking it try it for yourself ! Now, come ! you ve got five seconds only for a stroke of genius what are you going to do ? RAIKE [Coolly] Nothing. [Suddenly he throws the table up on end, but DOYLE is too quick for him and it just misses him. The two meet in the middle of the room. DOYLE gets him by the wrists, and for a second or two neither shows any movement, except the strain on the muscles. Then DOYLE slowly begins to bend RAIKE s arms back wards. ] DOYLE Merely to deceive by a simplicity, eh? Come in! [An INSPECTOR and a POLICEMAN come in smartly, and hold RAIKE, while DOYLE snaps a pair of handcuffs on him. ] Who s in charge ? THE INSPECTOR I am, sir. DOYLF Take him to the station and look sharp after him. I ll be along as soon as I m dressed. [Quietly.] I m sorry, my friend, but I m afraid you ve lost your bet. RAIKE My dear Doyle, there s an old adage, "A race is never over until it s won." DOYLE [To INSPECTOR] You ll see to that? Have the revolver you may want it. [127] RAIKE If you get any satisfaction out of making an innocent girl suffer well, I wish you luck to it ! And whatever you are as a detective, as a human being you re a colos sal failure ! ! [He goes out. Immediately the clock strikes four. DOYLE smiles, picks up the overthrown table, saying, "Five hundred pounds, yes, I hope I shall get it." He picks up the candle, turns out the lights, and is going, when there is a smash of glass at the win dow, something heavy drops on the floor. He picks it up quickly. It s a pair of handcuffs and a note. With an exclamation he puts the candle on the table.} DOYLE [Reading note] "Poor old Doyle! Fancy you of all people being taken in by two of my own men dressed as police men ii" Oh, my goodness! [He makes for the window. A motor is starting a little way off. He comes back, reads: "I ve got the letter and so the girl is safe. Good-bye, old fellow, it s a pity you ve sold out as a human being." [The noise of the car increases as it passes the house and then the motor-horn gives an im pertinent "toot-toot" and then the sound gradually dies away.] Oh, yes, very clever, my friend, very clever. You ve got away all right, haven t you? And you ve got the letter too so you think ! Now, I wonder why I allowed your accomplice to go on rifling my rooms like this? unless it was that I got the original of that letter here, my friend ! [He takes it out of pocket.] And when this leaves my hands, there an end of your career and hers! [Reading the note again. "It s a pity you ve sold out as a human being" All right, my friend, we ll leave the woman out of it then, and we ll start again just you and I square! [He puts the edge of the letter in the candle flame, and after a second or two lights his pipe by it, and the curtain falls. [128] L ENVOI L ENVOI Children of mine, go forth into the world, For good or ill, for censure or for praise, Till now my very own, in comradeship Rejoicing ever when the day was done. 1 brought thee forth at night, when streets were still, Save for the footsteps of some traveler Upon the echoing pavement underneath. I cradled thee in love and sympathy: White stars thy watchers through the shining night ; The full-orbed moon did bathe thee with its light ; Dark clouds oft-times thy sombre coverlet ; The thunder s roll across the midnight sky Thy voice of protest or thy cry of pain. A diverse band are ye, my children dear : Some light and gay, with merry laughing eyes, While others heavy, dark, dispensing hate, Or plotting gainst the sacred rights of man ; And ye, the loved of all, the pure in heart, True, loyal ones, with highest motives blest, Obeying duty s voice, and country s call. Go forth into the busy world of men, Cheering the downcast, making strong the weak, Inciting by example bravest deeds, Inspiring by thy spirit loftiest aims. As ye fare forth I walk not with thee more, Another hand shall gird thee, other lips Shall voice thy thoughts, but whether well or ill, Ye still shall be my children, and the love Wherewith I loved thee in the early days Shall be thine own forever. Fare thee well. CHARLES E. ALLEN THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW AN INITIAL FINE OF 25 CENTS OVERDUE. FEl r ^ I LD 21-50m-l, 3! t JfB 316 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY