The illustrious client

(after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

(Level II)

CHARACTERS: Mr. Sherlock Holmes, a private detective.

Dr. Watson, his friend and assistant.

Mrs. Hudson, their landlady.

Sir James Damery, a gentleman from high society.

Violet Bellamy, a young, beautiful lady.

Baron Weber, an Austrian gentleman with criminal past.

Kitty Winter, Baron Weber’s former mistress.

Shinwell Johnson, Holmes’s agent.

Inspector MacDowall.

Strangers.

News-vendors.

Butler, non speaking part.

SCENE I

Holmes and Watson’s flat in Baker Street, 221-b. Dr. Watson’s bedroom. An early morning. Dr. Watson is sleeping in his bed. Enter Holmes.

Holmes: Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, but it’s the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me 1, and I on you.

Watson (gets out of the bed): What is it, then? A fire?

Holmes: No, a client. It may be a matter of life and death. I know no more than the message tells me. (Gives Watson a letter.)

Watson (reads, then looks at Holmes): Do you know anything of this man Damery? (Pours some water from the jug into the basin and starts washing his face.)

Holmes: Only that he has rather a reputation for arranging delicate matters which are to be kept out of the papers. Now he has some real need for our assistance.

Watson (dries his face with a towel): Our?

Holmes: Well, if you will be so good, Watson.

Watson: I shall be honoured.

SCENE II

Holmes and Watson’s living room. They are awaiting their visitor. Enter Mrs. Hudson, followed by Sir James Damery.

Mrs. Hudson: Sir James Damery.

Damery (bowing): Of course, I was prepared to find Dr. Watson.

Watson: Can I be of assistance?

Damery: Your help may be very necessary.

Watson: Then I shall certainly stay.

Damery: It is very kind of you, doctor. I should say that there is no more dangerous man in Europe than the man I want to speak to you about.

Holmes: Pray take a seat. Do you smoke? Then you will excuse me if I light my pipe. Now about your man. (Pencil and note-book in hand.) May I ask his name?

Damery: Have you heard of Baron Weber?

Holmes: You mean the Austrian murderer?

Damery: There is no getting past you, Mr. Holmes! Wonderful! So you have already sized him as a murderer?

Holmes: It’s my business to follow the details of Continental crimes. I am as sure that he killed his wife as if I had seen him do it. I think it is not this old tragedy which has come up again?

Damery: No, it is more serious than that. The client in whose interests I am acting…

Holmes: But who is the client?

Damery: Mr. Holmes, I must beg you not to press that question. He prefers to remain unknown.

Holmes (closes his note-book and stands up): I’m sorry, I am accustomed to having mystery at one end of my cases. I fear, Sir James, that I must decline to act.

Damery: May I, at least, lay all the facts before you?

Holmes (sits down again): By all means, so long as it is understood that I commit myself to nothing. 1

Damery: In the first place, you have no doubt heard of General Bellamy?

Holmes: Yes, I have heard of him.

Damery: He has a daughter, Violet Bellamy, young, rich, beautiful, a wonder-woman in every way. It is this daughter, this lovely, innocent girl, whom we must save from this terrible man.

Watson: Baron Weber has some hold over her, then?

Damery: The strongest of all holds – the hold of love. The fellow is very handsome, with a most fascinating manner, and a gentle voice. He absolutely won her heart. To say that she loves him hardly expresses it. She dotes upon him. She will not hear one word against him. She is going to marry the Baron next month.

Holmes: Does she know about the Austrian episode?

Damery: The cunning devil has told her every public scandal of his past life, but always in such a way as to make himself out to be an innocent martyr. She absolutely accepts his version and will listen to no other.

Watson: Dear me! She must have a nerve.

Holmes: Well, your problem interests me. Can you give me any further information about the man?

Damery: He has expensive tastes. He is a real collector. He collects books, pictures and Chinese pottery. He has written a book upon the subject.

Holmes: Well, Sir James, you will inform your client that I am turning my mind upon Baron Weber. I can say no more.

(Sir James Damery bows and leaves their flat.)

SCENE III

Дата добавления: 2015-11-04