Page: Whose apple are you eating, Kate?
Kate: Are you joking? It’s my apple!
Page: Wrong answer: this apple is not yours.
Kate: It’s mine!
Page: Nonsense! It belongs to the princess.
Kate: To the princess? Why!
Page: Listen to me, Kate. You belong to the princess.
Kate: I’m her gentlewoman, but I don’t belong to her!
Page: This apple (takes it from Kate) belongs to you.
Kate: Give it back!
Page: Inde 1, your apple belongs to the princess. You’re eating her apple, Kate. (Starts eating the apple.) Quod erat demonstrandum 2.
Kate: You, rascal!
Page (tries to kiss her): And whose lips are these?
Kate: They are mine!
Page (repeats his attempt): No, mine.
Kate: Stop it! Stop it! (Notices Blanche, who is sitting in the corner with a lute.) Oh, it’s Blanche! (To Blanche.) What are you doing here quite alone?
Blanche: I’m waiting for our princess. And thinking…
Page: Why are you so sad, my fair lady?
Blanche: Why are you so merry, my dear sir? We’re in the Tower of London, not in the Hampton Court 3.
Kate: Quiet! Her Highness.
(Everybody bows. Lady Elizabeth enters the room with her old nurse and her secretary.)
Elizabeth: No cross, no crown… Poor thing, poor thing, poor little Jane!
Nurse: What Jane do you mean, Bessie?
Elizabeth: Lady Jane Grey, my cousin. She met her death here, in the Tower. Who’s next?
Nurse: Oh, you shouldn’t think so!
Elizabeth: Whose turn is it now, I ask you? Maybe mine?
Nurse: No! No! Stop talking such terrible things! You are not Jane Grey. Your father was the King of England.
Elizabeth: Yes, but my mother was beheaded. My father ordered her execution. It happened in the Tower. I was only three, when she died.
Nurse: You are the Queen’s sister. And Her Majesty loves you.
Elizabeth: She needs my head to save her crown.
Nurse (starts crying): Bessie, Bessie…
Elizabeth (tries to comfort her): There, there my old Meg. Now, go and have a little sleep. (Meg leaves the room. Lady Elizabeth notices the lute in Blanche’s hands.) Play for me, Blanche.
Blanche: With great pleasure, Your Highness. (Starts playing a sad, tuneful song.)
Elizabeth (to her secretary): Come here, Rupert. I’m going to dictate a letter to you.
Rupert: I’m ready, Your Highness.
Page (to Blanche and Kate): Well, ladies… (They discuss something in low voices.)
Elizabeth (dictating): My precious sister Mary… No go. Let’s try it again. Your Majesty… That won’t do at all. The devil take it!
Page (comes up to her with a deep bow): Excuse me, Your Highness. Your gentlewomen and I want to sing you a song.
Elizabeth: A song?
Page: Yes, they say your father, good King Harry wrote it when he was young and in love with your mother.
Elizabeth: Do I know it? What’s its name?
Page: “Greensleeves” 1, my lady.
Elizabeth: Why not? We’ve got enough time for a dozen songs. Sit down, Rupert.
Rupert (a bit embarrassed): But, Your Highness…
Elizabeth: Sit down. I’m not the Queen of England. I’m only Her Majesty’s younger sister, a girl without any future. Start, ladies. We’re listening to you.
(The page, Blanche and Kate sing “Greensleeves” to the princess.)
Elizabeth: I dare swear, I enjoyed every minute of this wonderful song.
Rupert: So did I, Your Highness.
Elizabeth: Good, ladies, very good, excellent!
Page: And what about me? It was my idea. Will you give me a prize?
Elizabeth: Ask Kate for your prize.
Kate: My lady!
Elizabeth: Thank you for your kindness, friends. My only true friends. And now, leave me alone. I have a lot of work to do.
Everybody: Good night, Your Highness.
(The page and Kate bow and go out. Rupert collects his books and papers. Blanche takes her lute.)
Rupert (stands dead with amusement): The Queen!
Elizabeth (turns to him): What did you say?
Rupert: You’ll be the Queen of England! I see a crown on your head!
Elizabeth (very excited): Crown! My father’s crown!
Rupert (kneels down): Oh, my lady, my Queen!
Rupert and Blanche (together): Long live the Queen!
Elizabeth: Hush, hush, my friends. Not now. This is not the moment. All in good time. But in my heart of hearts I believe, you are right. (Leaves the room, accompanied by Blanche.)
Rupert (alone): The Queen! Elizabeth I! Elizabeth the Great! Your Majesty…
CURTAIN
SING WILLOW, WILLOW, WILLOW…
(Level I)
CHARACTERS: Irene Nichols, a young and very talented actress.
Michael Bastwick, an actor, Irene’s husband.
Helga, an actress, in love with Michael.
Penrose, Irene’s personal costumier.
German gunsmith.
Detective Sergeant.
Journalists.
SCENE I
An English theatre. “Twelve Night”1 is on at the theatre. The performance is about to finish. Viola, Olivia and Orsino2 are on the stage.
Olivia-Helga: My lord, so please you,
To think me as well a sister as a wife.
Orsino-Michael: A sister! You are she.
(To Viola.) Boy, you have said to me a thousand times
You never should’st love woman like to me.
Viola-Irene: And all those saying will I overswear.
Orsino-Michael: Here is my hand: you shall from this time be…
Viola-Irene: My master’s mistress…
Orsino-Michael: …and his fancy’s Queen.
(The curtain falls. The spectators clap and cheer. Michael and Helga bow. Irene is met with a round of applause when she appears. Curtain call follows curtain call. Michael and Helga go off. Journalists surround Irene.)
1st journalist: Bravo, Viola! Bravo!
Irene (tired but happy): Thank you.
2nd journalist: Oh, it’s too lovely for words! You’re a great actress!
Irene: You are very kind.
3rd journalist: I’ve enjoyed it so much! Wonderful! Splendid! Impressive!
Irene: I’m grateful.
4th journalist: Excellent! Brilliant! Charming!
Penrose (to the journalists): Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, but Miss Nichols is very tired and needs a rest.
Irene: I wish to thank you and say goodbye.
(Irene and Penrose go out. The journalists phone their newspapers.)
1st journalist (dictating an article about the performance): The role of Viola is beautifully performed by Miss Nichols.
2nd journalist (dictating): Her delivery of the heroine was so charming.
3rd journalist (dictating): Her acting was so natural that everyone began to feel for her as in real life.
1st journalist: The admiration of the audience for her art knew no bounds.
2nd journalist: She was strewn with flowers.
3rd journalist: She is the star of the day.
SCENE II
Helga’s dressing-room. She is sitting before the mirror and removing her make-up. Michael is pacing up and down the room with a newspaper in his hands.)
Michael (angrily): Listen to it, Helga. (Reading aloud.) “The cast was excellent with the exception of Michael Bastwick. His lines were spoken with so little colour that it was painful to hear. He seemed to be talking in his sleep. The audience was irritated. He could have done better. His sun is set.” It’s about yesterday’s performance. Today’s reviews will be the same, or even worse.
Helga: Stuff and nonsense! Don’t read it! (Snatches the newspaper out of his hands and throws it away.)
Michael: They are right. Orsino is not my role. I don’t like it. “Twelve Night” was chosen because of my wife. I must say she is the best Viola I’ve ever seen.
Helga: They should stage “Richard III” again, your king is unforgettable.
Michael: They will never do it. There is no good role for Irene in this play. The part of Lady Anne1 is not very interesting.
Helga: Don’t you think I could play the part?
Michael: I’m afraid, it’s impossible. People want to see Irene and nobody else.
Helga: I’ve heard they’re planning to stage “Othello”. She will be Desdemona2 and what about you?
Michael: I’ll have to play the part of Cassio, because I’m not the right actor for Othello.
Helga: Oh, Michael, it’s unfair! You are one of the best actors of our time!
Michael: No, I’m not. But I could be a very good actor if it were not for my wife.
SCENE III
Irene’s dressing-room. She enters, escorted by Penrose.
Irene: Come here and help me, Penrose.
Penrose: You were at your best tonight.
Irene (sits down in front of the mirror): You are too kind. Unpin me here.
Penrose (helps Irene to remove her make-up and change her clothes): There was so much emotion in your acting that many cried.
Irene: Really? Do you think Desdemona is the proper part for me?
Penrose: You are simply born for it.
Irene (singing in a low voice)1:
The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree,
Sing all a green willow;
Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,
Sing willow, willow, willow…
Penrose: But I am not sure that your husband enjoys the part of Cassio very much.
Irene (singing): The fresh streams ran by her, and murmured her moans;
Sing willow, willow, willow,
Her salt tears fell from her, and softened the stones,
Sing willow, willow, willow…
(There is a knock on the door. Penrose goes to open it.)
Irene: Hark! Who is it that knocks?
Penrose: It’s that old German gunsmith for you, mam.
Irene: No, you should say “It’s the wind”.
Penrose: If you are Desdemona now, I am not Emilia. So, how about the gunsmith?
Irene: Let him in.
Penrose (to the gunsmith): Come in, please. Miss Nichols is awaiting you.
(An old gentleman enters the room. He is carrying a box. Irene stands up and goes forward to meet her visitor.)
Gunsmith: Guten Abend!2 It was wonderful! Herrlich! How well you did the last act! Schwöre, I’ve never seen anything half so splendid. Your acting…
Irene: It was not my acting, it was Shakespeare that impressed you so deeply. Have you repaired my pistol?
Gunsmith: Ja, natűrlich. (Gives her the box.) It wasn’t very difficult. Now Jhre Pistole is in order. It works perfectly and it is loaded, Vorsicht.
Irene: Thank you very much.
Gunsmith: Bin fertig Jhnen zu dienen, Madam. (Goes away.)
Penrose (points to the box): What do you need it for?
Irene (opens the box and takes the pistol out of it): It’s my father’s present. He gave it to me when he was dying and asked to keep it to hand. “This world is full of danger and evil”, he used to say. (Puts the pistol into the upper drawer of her table.)
Penrose: Hm-m. He was a very wise man.
Irene (singing): I called my love false love, but what said he then?
Sing willow, willow, willow…Don’t look at me like this, Penrose. I’m not mad. I’m rehearsing.
Penrose: I know. Don’t sit up all night. You look tired. Good night.
Irene: Good night, Penrose.
(Penrose leaves the room. Irene switches on the tape-recorder and continues reciting the part of Desdemona.)
Irene: My mother had a maid called Barbara.
She was in love; and he she loved proved mad
And did forsake her: she had a song of “willow”;
And she died singing it: that song tonight
Will not go from my mind:
Sing willow, willow, willow… (Falls asleep.)
SCENE IV
The same room. Irene is sleeping, sitting at the table. The tape-recorder is still on. Enter Michael.
Michael (looking at his wife): She is sleeping. It’s better. I’ll kill her in her sleep and she won’t feel any pain. (Comes up to her with a rope in his hands.) Get out of my way, Irene. Out of my way!
Irene (wakes up): Oh, Mike, it’s you. What are you doing here?
Michael: I’m killing you. But you shouldn’t be afraid, I’ll do it as gentle as possible. Sit still, will you? It all will be over very soon.
Irene (springs to her feet): Stop it! Stop it! Help me! Help!
Michael: There’s no use in crying for help, Irene. Nobody can hear you. We are alone.
Irene: You’ve gone mad!
Michael: Maybe you are right. But it doesn’t matter. A perfect actor must be a little mad.
Irene (dives her hand into the upper drawer of the table and takes the pistol out of it): Stay where you are or… or I’ll fire!
Michael (a little surprised, but not frightened): Look here, Irene. You have no right to be the leading actress of the company, because I’m a much better actor than you.
Irene (takes aim at him): No more words! Move and you’re a dead man!
Michae (slowly moving toward her): No, Irene, no. You haven’t enough courage to pull the trigger.
Irene: Don’t move! I’m warning you! Your next step will be your last one.
Michael: I’ve got a better idea: you will die.
Irene (fires at him, Michael falls on the floor): Oh! What have I done! (Throws the pistol away and kneels beside Michael. She stays in this position for the rest of the play.) God help me!
Penrose (from behind the door): What’s the matter? (Knocks at the door.) Open the door, please! What is it? Open the door, madam! It’s me, Penrose. Let me in.
Detective Sergeant (from behind the door): In the Queen’s name – open or I’ll break the door down! (Knocks the door down.)
Penrose (runs into the room): Good God! My dear madam! Poor master! He is dead! In God’s name, what does it all mean?
(Detective Sergeant comes up to the table, switches off the tape-recorder, rewinds the tape and presses the button “play”. The audience hear the last part of Irene and Michael’s quarrel. Then he turns the tape-recorder off.)
Penrose: This is terrible! What is to be done, Sergeant?
Detective Sergeant (speaking over the telephone): Chief-inspector? Sergeant Rowley is speaking. Yes. Yes. The killed man’s name is Michael Bastwick. A famous actor, yes. No. Not a murder. It’s an accident. All right. (Puts down the receiver.)
CURTAIN
LOOK AT THE AVERAGE PERSON
(Level I)
CHARACTERS: Melodie, a camerawoman.
Rose Welsh, a TV-reporter.
Teddy, a young composer.
TV producer.
Waitress.
Lady and gentleman.
Shop-assistant.
Girl, who sells lottery tickets.
Passers-by: a young man, an old lady, a middle-aged man,
a business-woman.
SCENE I
A TV-studio. Melodie is waiting for the beginning of the program.
Man’s voice: Grab the mike on the piano, it’s quite low this. OK. Well, just keep it there.
Lady’s voice: The beginning is different now. OK?
Unpleasant man’s voice: Yeah. Well, well, Melodie. How are things? You look terrific. By the way, Melodie, I’ve seen your Teddy-boy 1, I mean your unusually talented composer, with a pretty nice young blonde this morning.
Mel: Shut up!
Man’s voice: Ready? Take a close-up of the girl in the middle. OK, man. Let’s go, lights on.
Lady’s voice: Quiet, please.
(Melodie takes her camera and starts working. She is shooting a popular TV program. When the work is finished, Melodie starts phoning someone.)
Mel (dials the number): 6-2-1-8-0-7. And he is out.
Producer: Hi! How do you find our new title song?
Mel: Rubbish.
Producer: You’re hard to please, Melodie.
Mel: Be so kind, don’t use the full form of my first name. It’s silly.
Producer: Why? A good old English name.
Mel: Too good for me.
Producer: Well, well. Hold your tempo. (Points to Rose, standing at the back.) Look, this young girl over there is our new reporter.
Mel: She’s wet behind the ears. 2
Producer: Yes. She’s new to our business. And I expect you to help her. You’re working together today. (Goes out.)
Mel (crying at his back): Are you kidding? Not me!
Rose (comes up to Melodie): Hello, my name is Rose Welsh, but you may call me Rosie. What’s your name?
Mel: Elizabeth, the Queen, don’t you know? Come on, baby. (Melodie picks up her camera and they both go off.)
SCENE II
A small café in a London street. Mel and Rosie are finishing their meal. A gentleman walks into it arm-in-arm with a lady. The waitress goes toward them.
Waitress: Good evening, sir, madam.
Gentleman: Good evening. Have you got a table for two?
Waitress: A table for two? Of course, sir. This way, please.
Rose (rehearsing): I’m Rose Welsh and this is my first story.
Mel (having trouble with her camera): Now, take off your jacket and turn your back on me.
Rose: What for?
Mel: I need something white to regulate the colour.
Rose: Hello, I’m Rose Welsh and…
Mel: Thanks.
Rose: …and this is my first…
Mel (to Rose, who is putting on her jacket): Stop it! No go! I mean, this checked jacket of yours. Take it off. It’s terrible. (Rose takes off her jacket and remains in her white blouse.) Well, it’s better.
Rose: Are you ready?
Mel: The camera’s on the blink 1. Third-rate. Was bought for a song. 2
Rose: You must have got out of bed on the wrong side today. 3 What’s the matter? Can I be of any help?
Mel: Mind your own business. Are we doing it, or are we not?
Rose: I should find my first hero. They want me to interview several persons for the program about people’s secret ambitions.
Mel: Very well. Look around. Every Tom, Dick and Harry 4 may be the hero of your story.
Young man: Excuse me, what’s the time?
Mel: Half past five.
Young man: Oh, I’m late. (Runs away.)
Rose (follows him): Wait a minute! I’m from the MPI channel. Will you please tell me…
Mel: He’s off. Lucky dog. 5
Rose: Are you going to give me a hard time?
Mel: I’m going to wet my lips. (To the waitress.) A glass of ginger ale with ice for me, please.
SCENE III
The same street. A shop-assistant is locking the door of the shop. Mel is still in the café. Rosie is outside, looking for her hero.
Old lady (to the shop-assistant): Are you open?
Shop-assistant: No, we’re closed. Sorry. We close at 5.30. We close at 5.30 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. And we close at 12.30 on Wednesday and Saturday. And we are closed on Sunday. We open at 9.15 every day.
Rose (to the old lady): Excuse me, madam. I’m a reporter from the MPI channel. And I have a question to ask you. Have you got any secret ambitions?
Old lady (irritably): My one and only ambition is to find a shop which is open after 5.30. (Goes away.)
Middle-aged man (to the girl, selling lottery tickets): Have you got 200 lottery tickets?
Girl: 200? Sorry, we haven’t got so many tickets. We’ve only got 40.
Middle-aged man: All right.
Rose (to the middle-aged man): Hello, My name is Rose Welsh. I’m a TV-reporter. Could you answer my question?
Middle-aged man: Sure. Why not?
Rose (calls Melodie): Hey! I’ve got my hero
Mel (tries to get someone on the phone): And he is still out. I’m going!
Rose: Now, what’s your ambition in life, Mr. …er…
Middle-aged man: Blake. You see, I always buy lottery tickets, but never win. My ambition is to hit jackpot.
Rose: And that is all?
Middle-aged man: Who could ask for any more? Such an odd girl! (Goes away.)
Rose: Don’t look at me like this. I still have a chance of making this story.
Mel: Yeah. You have a snowball’s chance in the hell 1. You’re deep in troubled waters 2, love.
Rose: Stop teasing me!
Mel: I feel, I’ve got plenty of time to kill and I’m determined to spend my last pound. (Comes back to her table in the café.)
SCENE IV
The same café. A business-woman is speaking over the phone near Melodie’s table.
Business-woman: Yes, yes, Tuesday’s fine. What’s your address? (To Melodie.) Have you got a pen? Thanks. Yes, 35 Duke-street, right. Is there a railway station near here? Oh, I’ll take a taxi. Yes, I’ll see you on Tuesday. Good-bye.
Rose (to the business-woman): Sorry to interrupt you, but … Would you mind my interviewing you?
Business-woman: It’s out of the question. I’m too busy. (Goes away.)
Rose: Good Lord! I don’t know what to do!
Mel (hangs up): Nobody’s in. Very strange. (To Rose.) Take it easy, darling. Join me if you’ve got some money to burn 3.
Gentleman: Waitress!
Waitress: Yes, sir.
Gentleman: One fish, one steak, two salads and a bottle of your best Italian wine.
Waitress (writes down his order): Of course, sir.
Rose (to the waitress): Would you answer a question or two for our program?
Waitress: Can’t you see? I’m in a hurry! Let me go! (Goes to the kitchen.)
Mel (looks at her watch): Six fifteen. Looks like your time is up.
Rose (seems to be talking in her sleep): Twenty minutes.
Mel: What?
Rose: I’ve still got twenty minutes, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve missed my chance. Leave me alone. (Sits down and covers her face with her hands.)
SCENE V
The same place. Enter Teddy with a guitar in his hand.
Teddy: Hey, Mel!
Mel: Teddy! Where have you been? I’ve been phoning you the whole day.
Teddy (embracing her): In the studio. We’ve been making a record. You see, I had an idea for a song this morning.
Mel: Really? What’s the name of your new song?
Teddy: “My Sweet Melody”. 1
Mel (raises her hand against him): You, teddy-bear!
Teddy: Oh, no, Mel, please don’t! You have a heavy hand, you know.
Rose (raises her head for a moment): Hello, I’m Rose Welsh and it was my first story…
Teddy (to Melodie): What’s happened to her?
Mel: Lost her job. But..
Teddy: But?
Mel: But we can still help her. Lend me your hand. 2
Teddy: After two, Mel. One, two…
(Teddy starts playing his guitar. He and Melodie sing a song 3 to cheer up Rosie.)
Mel: Wake up, Rosie! It’s time to act!
Rose: But I’m not ready…
Teddy: Just wing it. Speak off the cuff. 4 Come out of your shell!
Rose: Well, I’ll try.
Mel (takes the camera): We do or die!
Rose (starts her program): Hello and welcome to our program that deals with people’s secret ambitions. I’m Rose Welsh, I want to be a reporter and this is my first story. (To the lady, who goes out of the café with the gentleman.) Have you got a dream?
Lady: Well, I’m the vice-president of a company but I’ve always wished to be a gardener.
Rose: Really?
All together: Look at the average person!
CURTAIN
PART FOUR: PLAYS ABOUT SHERLOCK HOLMES
THE WAX GAMBLERS
(after Adrian Conan Doyle & John Dickson Carr)
(Level I)
CHARACTERS: Mr. Sherlock Holmes, a private detective.
Dr. Watson, his friend and assistant.
Mr. Baxter, a night watchman.
Trixie, his daughter.
Sir Robert Kane, a young and handsome swindler.
Guide.
Visitors.
Wax figures. 1
SCENE I
Madam Tussaud’s Exhibition of wax figures. The room is dark and seems empty.
Trixie (enters with a candle in her hand): Bob! My dear!
Sir Robert (comes out of the darkness): Well, Trixie. Have you done it?
Trixie: Not yet. You have to wait a little. I’ll get the information in two hours.
Sir Robert: Wait a little, wait a little. I hate waiting.
Trixie: I’m doing my best to help you, darling. You really love me, don’t you?
Sir Robert: What the devil do you mean?
Trixie (trying to embrace him): Oh, Bob… Will you kiss me, please?
Sir Robert: Not now. You must go.
Trixie: My love! (Kisses him and goes out.)
Sir Robert: What a silly girl she is!
SCENE II
The same room. Enter the guide followed by a group of visitors. Among the visitors the audience can see Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
Guide: Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Madame Tussaud’s exhibition of wax figures. We’re in the Room of Sins now. Look at these ladies. (Points to the wax figures.) They are very young and beautiful, aren’t they? But they are gamblers. And gambling is the shortest way to a crime.
1st visitor: Isn’t this wax lady charming, Lucy?
2nd visitor: Which of them, Maud?
1st visitor: The lady with a scarf.
2nd visitor: Indeed.
Watson (accidentally steps on Sir Robert’s foot): Oh, I’m sorry.
Sir Robert: Damn you! Where are your eyes?
Watson (to Holmes): Who’s this rude man, Holmes?
Holmes: Sir Robert Kane. He won a fortune during last year’s Derby. They say he did so by bribery and secret information. Now every his move is carefully watched.
Watson: He is not your man, Holmes?
Holmes: No, doctor, not mine.
(All the visitors go off the room. Holmes and Watson stay alone.)
Watson: But why are we here? And where is this Mr. Baxter?
Holmes: Hush, hush! I hear his steps.
SCENE III
The same place. Mr. Baxter enters.
Baxter: Mr. Holmes! Mr. Holmes!
Holmes: Well, what can I do for you?
Baxter: God be thanked! You are here!
Holmes: Yes. What’s the matter?
Baxter: My name is Sam Baxter. I’ve been a night watchman here for many years.
Watson: We know it from your letter.
Baxter: Now, sir, look at these two ladies. (Points to the wax figures.) Do you see anything strange?
Holmes: Nothing strange in my opinion.
Baxter: But they are playing cards! They are really playing cards!
Watson: What an idea!
Baxter: It’s not my imagination, sir! I see what I see! Look at the cards in their hands. Yesterday the cards were different.
Watson: It’s very simple. Somebody has changed the cards for fun.
Baxter: Impossible, sir. Nobody could do it in the daytime, at night the door was locked. And it’s not like one of the public’s practical jokes, sir.
Holmes: Your case is promised to be interesting, Mr. Baxter. I’ll be happy to look into the matter.
Baxter: Well, sir, I must go now. Duty calls.
Holmes: Yes, yes, you may go.
Baxter (to himself): Me imagine it? I’m not that simple! (Goes out.)
SCENE IV
Holmes and Watson are alone.
Holmes: Your opinion, Watson?
Watson: This old man is mad.
Holmes: Good old Watson!
Watson: Why are you smiling, Holmes? Have I said something funny?
Holmes: No, no, my dear doctor. Now, let’s wait.
(Holmes and Watson hide behind the wax figures. Trixie enters the room.)
Trixie (calls): Dad! Daddy! Nobody’s here. I have enough time. (Comes up to one of the wax figures and changes cards in its hand.)
Holmes (suddenly appears behind her): I’m afraid, you haven’t, Miss Baxter, we have been waiting for you.
Trixie (very frightened, but trying to look calm): My God! Who are you, gentlemen?
Holmes: My name is Sherlock Holmes and this is my friend Dr.Watson.
Trixie: Sherlock Holmes! Oh, I’m lost!
Holmes: Not yet, my dear lady, not yet. If you work with me, I’ll help you.
Trixie: But what do you know?
Holmes (points to the cards): It’s a childish, elementary cipher.
Trixie: No, no, no…
Holmes: Robert Kane is the man for whom you do it. Here is some secret information about tomorrow’s races.
Trixie: Oh, heaven help me! You know everything!
Watson: Stop it, Holmes! The lady is about to faint. (Helps Trixie to sit down.)
Holmes: I think, Watson, a brandy and soda would do her no harm.
Sir Robert (enters the room): Sherlock Holmes! It’s a trap! Your work, Trixie!
Trixie (crying): No, dear! I didn’t say a word!
Sir Robert: I don’t want to see you any more.
Trixie: My love!
Holmes (to Sir Robert): Your game is up, my dear sir. Inspector Gregson will visit you very soon, I’m sure. He has a few questions to ask you.
Sir Robert: I believe you are the devil himself! Clever, clever devil! (Goes away.)
Holmes (to Trixie): Believe me, Miss Baxter. I’m your friend and want to save your reputation. Robert Kane…
Trixie: I love him!
Holmes: My dear Miss Baxter, he’s a criminal and must be arrested. I advise you to forget this terrible man.
Trixie: Never! Never! Never!
Holmes (with a deep sigh): I fancy so. (He and Watson go off. Trixie is crying alone.)
CURTAIN
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