LADY WEEDON. On account of the view – a really remarkable view.
1ST R.C.. Yes, my lady, I often say, my lady, we ought to put that as an item in the bill – to one superb view over London, so much. Ha, ha. My little joke, my lady. But the office is seriously considering placing field glasses in every room on nine.
LADY WEEDON. Quite a good idea.
1ST R.C.. Boy, show Lady Weedon her room. No. 385, floor nine. Lift no. 3 remember. We are making it an express, my lady, express to nine for the convenience of guests on the floor.
LADY WEEDON. Very sensible – so boring if people crowd in all the time. I shall expect those field glasses, mind. I do so adore that view.
PAGE. This way, my lady.
1ST R.C.. Tommy, hear that; her and her view. View my foot. What she wants is a chance to rub up against Johnny Briggs and see if she can work the oracle again.
2ND R.C.. I thought you said he took up with some one else after a scandal there was.
1ST R.C.. The Billy Jacks scandal? Oh, that didn’t last long. He never married her. She got weepy – remorse, that sort of thing. Well, of course, you couldn’t expect Sir John to stand for that, could you?
2ND R.C.. I suppose not – not his line.
1ST R.C.. I daresay she hadn’t much S.A. All he wanted anyhow was to use her to do in her husband’s business – got all his business secrets out of her like that, and knew just what to do. She never spotted it. Never got on his game. And when she did she cut up rough and Johnny Briggs was only too glad of the excuse to drop her. I believe she went back to hubby.
2ND R.C.. Her husband took her back after that?
1ST R.C.. He must have been a softy. I suppose he was all gaga on her. She was all broken up. Dying she was. They went abroad and that’s the last anyone heard of ’em. Probably she pegged out abroad.
2ND R.C.. Not a pretty story.
1ST R.C.. My good babe, millionaires don’t have to be pretty.
2ND R.C.. I suppose not.
1ST R.C.. There was a lot about it in the papers at the time. Johnny Briggs worked it so most people thought Billy Jacks was to blame. Smart he is, our Johnny Briggs. (’phone rings) Reception desk speaking. Oh. Yes, Sir John. Certainly, Sir John. Very good, Sir John. No, Sir John, no one of that name. Miss Elsie White? No, she hasn’t been yet. Certainly, Sir John, the very moment she comes. I’ll instruct the Head Porter myself at once. The special menu shall be seen to – the best attention I need not assure you, Sir John. The very moment the lady comes in. I quite understand. Is that all, Sir John? Thank you, Sir John. Certainly, Sir John. Thank you. (hangs up) My God, Tommy, we’re for it now, both of us.
2ND R.C.. What’s up?
1ST R.C.. The sack most likely. My God, how the devil could we know?
2ND R.C.. What’s wrong?
1ST R.C.. It’s that girl, you know. The one who looked all worked up and said her name was Elsie White.
2ND R.C.. What about her?
1ST R.C.. Sir John’s expecting her, wants to be told the moment she gets here. Going to dine her – in the restaurant – special menu, too.
2ND R.C.. Good Lord!
1ST R.C.. He was expecting her and we’ve kept her waiting. If he gets to know, he’ll have us both kicked out.
2ND R.C.. She must be one of his fancy women, then.
1ST R.C.. She doesn’t look it. How could we tell?
2ND R.C.. If she’s that, why is he dining her in the restaurant, instead of in his own suite?
1ST R.C.. He may be only on her trail, the old devil; and until he’s got her, he has to go slow.
2ND R.C.. That’s why she looks so funny. Looks like – death, she does.
1ST R.C.. I’ll have to go and apologise. If she complains of being kept waiting, we’re sunk, both of us.
2ND R.C.. Nothing to do with me.
1ST R.C.. You were there. Special menu too. Perhaps I can talk her over. What about my tie? I’ll have to lick her boots.
2ND R.C.. Don’t look so jittery.
1ST R.C.. The more jittery I look, the more likely she’ll turn soft. Thank God, women are generally a soft lot. My God, what a mess. Sir John’ll get us sacked as soon as not. I wish that liftman had dropped him down that shaft. I wish I had a chance to put a bullet in his blasted back. Here goes. (he approaches Elsie) I beg your pardon. Excuse me. I am so sorry. Miss Elsie White, is it not?
ELSIE. Oh. Oh, yes. Yes. I – I – I – has he – I mean –
1ST R.C.. I must apologise most sincerely. I do indeed, most humbly. I do hope you will overlook it. I can’t tell how much I regret your being kept waiting.
ELSIE. Oh. Oh, it doesn’t matter at all.
1ST R.C.. Indeed, Miss, it does matter. It is not the sort of service the Hotel Elegance expects to render to its guests. We do pride ourselves on our service – especially our service to ladies. I can’t even now understand how such a thing could possibly happen.
ELSIE. What – what thing?
1ST R.C.. You being kept waiting even for one moment.
ELSIE. Oh, please don’t bother about that.
1ST R.C.. I do hope you will accept our most humble apologies.
ELSIE. Really, it doesn’t matter a scrap.
1ST R.C.. So very, very kind of you. You – er – excuse me – Sir John – you understand – you won’t – er – think it necessary to inform Sir John?
ELSIE. Inform him. . . . ? Why? What of?
1ST R.C.. I mean of the unfortunate delay.
ELSIE. Of course not. Why should I? I didn’t mind waiting. . . . I was glad.
1ST R.C.. Thank you very much indeed. Thank you. I will let Sir John know at once.
ELSIE. Oh, no – oh, must you? Oh, I mean. . . . yes, of course, please let him know.
1ST R.C.. Certainly, madam. Again all my regrets, madam. (at the reception desk) It’s O.K. Tommy. The girl’s a nit-wit, didn’t even know there was anything to get peeved about. If you ask me, she isn’t looking forward to meeting the old blighter one little bit. Something screwy somewhere.
2ND R.C.. Why are millionaires like God?
1ST R.C.. That’s an easy one – because whom they will they exalt and whom they will they cast down.
2ND R.C.. No. Because they move in a mysterious way their wonders to perform. John Briggs is planning something on the Q.T., and it’s got that girl scared out of her wits. If you ask me, he had better be careful, though. She doesn’t look a girl it would be safe to push too far.
1ST R.C.. Perhaps she’ll push a dinner knife into his throat. She might hang for it but lots of people would cheer.
2ND R.C.. See that tall, dark young chap staring at her?
1ST R.C.. Looks black as hell, doesn’t he? Something else up. He’s going to speak to her. Had I better butt in?
2ND R.C.. You’ve put your foot in it enough for one night if you ask me.
1ST R.C.. If the house dick were here, I would put him on it. Of course, he’s sure to be missing when wanted.
2ND R.C.. Haven’t they sent for his assistant?
1ST R.C.. Not got here yet. I say, the girl knows that tall, dark chap. Tommy, go and stand near. Be ready to interfere if you have to – not unless. I don’t like the looks of it.
ELSIE. (as tall, dark young man comes up) Oh, oh . . . Dick . . . how you startled me.
DICK. Didn’t expect to see me.
ELSIE. What are you doing here?
DICK. What are you doing here?
ELSIE. Dick . . . Dick Fuller, you’ve not been following me?
DICK. Haven’t I?
ELSIE. You don’t mean you’ve been spying on me
DICK. Yes.
ELSIE. How . . . how dare you?
DICK. I can dare a lot when you are concerned.
ELSIE. I . . . I . . . I think it’s beastly of you. Go away at once.
DICK. Public place. Hotel. I’m dining here.
ELSIE. You can’t. You can’t afford.
DICK. I can now. I pawned my watch as I came along
.
ELSIE. I’ll never have anything more to do with you. . . . over. . . . interfering. . . . impudence. . . .
DICK. All right. All right. Say just what you like.
ELSIE. Nothing to do with you. You’ve no right. . . .
DICK. I think I’ve a right to know why you are going to meet Sir John Briggs.
ELSIE. It’s no business of yours.
DICK. You’re my business. You know that well enough.
ELSIE. Please go away. Please. You don’t understand.
DICK. God in Heaven, Elsie. It’s you who don’t understand. He’s got you here by some trick or other. He’s done that before with other girls. They didn’t understand. They do now.
ELSIE. Dick. . . . oh. . . . did you think – that? Dick!
DICK. What else? For goodness sake, don’t start crying. Come away with me. Come away at once. It’s all right. All you’ve got to do is to come away with me.
ELSIE. I daren’t. . . . oh, Dick, I daren’t. . . . I must see him. I simply must. . . . I daren’t. . . . Dick, please go away. . . . It’s not what you think at all.
DICK. Oh, yes, it is . . . don’t be a fool, Elsie . . . he’s pitched you some yarn, I suppose. . . . you’re too innocent to know what it means when a man like Briggs asks a girl to dine with him at a swell hotel like this.
ELSIE. It isn’t that at all.
DICK. Oh, isn’t it? Look here, Elsie, I’ll tell you something. . . . if anyone tries to play tricks with you, I’ll kill him.
ELSIE. Oh, Dick, if it was only that. . . . I wouldn’t care. . . . I could manage then. . . . it’s. . . . business.
DICK. Business?
ELSIE. Cocktails.
DICK. Cocktails! What on earth . . . ?
ELSIE. You know he’s the chairman of Consolidated Metals?
DICK. What’s that got to do with it?
ELSIE. Oh Dick, it’s so awful, and it’s all my own fault . . . only I never meant. . . . I told you I was secretary now to Mr. West. . . . you see, we audit Metal Industries accounts. . . . Mr. West does. . . . he knows all their confidential figures. . . . turnover, profits, everything . . . so do I.
DICK. Is Briggs trying to get it out of you? Well, tell him to go to hell.
ELSIE. Yes, I know and I will if I must, only I don’t want to. . . . Dick, you’ll despise me . . . so do I . . . I can’t tell you how ashamed I am. . . . I. . . . I went to a cocktail party. . . . I never have before. . . . not a real one. I mean. . . . cocktails don’t look anything . . . they aren’t even nice. . . . only everyone was having them and so was I. . . . I suppose I got saying things. . . . a man was there and he asked me. . . . questions. . . . I don’t remember. . . . it’s all like a haze. . . . I did feel so awfully sick next morning. . . . you can’t possibly imagine how sick . . . there wasn’t simply anything left in me . . . I thought I should die. . . . I hoped so . . . and a man came to see me. . . . the man at the cocktail party who asked me questions. . . . he said I had given him some figures but they were a little confused and he wanted them made clearer. . . . I got so angry. . . . then he said if I wouldn’t. . . . then Sir John Briggs would let Mr. West know his confidential secretary had been talking secrets and I should be sacked and never get a job again and starve and of course I shall and serve me right, too.
DICK. Do you know how much he got out of you?
ELSIE. Only a little. I suppose I wasn’t so drunk I had lost all decency. That’s why they want me to tell them more. What I did let out isn’t much in itself, only of course it’s the principle of the thing, and Mr. West would never overlook it, and of course he oughtn’t to. . . . it’s the unforgivable thing . . . telling confidential figures. . . . and oh, I was so proud of being secretary.
DICK. Well, if you got sacked, we can get married, that’s all.
ELSIE. No, we won’t, Dick. Ever. I won’t ruin you, too. I’ve got pretty low when I can be offered a job as a business spy, but I won’t let people say you married a girl sacked for betraying her employer’s secrets. Everyone would know. That’s part of Sir John’s plan.
DICK. The. . . . The. . . .
ELSIE. Don’t look like that, Dick. You frighten me. It’s bad enough. Don’t make it worse. I’ve been a fool. . . . only, Dick, really, really, I never knew cocktails were like that. You see, I had never, never even tasted one before.
DICK. My poor darling.
ELSIE. Don’t call me that . . . I’ve been a fool, worse, and now I’m paying . . . there’s only one chance. . . . I’m going to ask Sir John please not to . . . he can’t really mean it. . . . no one could . . . not to be so awful. . . . he just thinks he’ll try . . . because of course, I shan’t ever do what he wants, and when he sees that, then he’ll just give it up, won’t he? Because, you see, it wouldn’t do him any good to ruin a girl like me. . . . he can’t want to. . . . no one could ever possibly be so awful a to try to ruin a girl only because she wouldn’t be a spy. . . . I’ll tell him about Mum. . . . and what a hard time we had when Dad died. . . . and about Sis at school. . . . Dick, perhaps . . . perhaps I’ll even tell him about us. . . . you see, Dick, it just isn’t possible anyone would want to be so awful because I wouldn’t be a spy . . . not when they understand . . . of course, it’s only business to try. . . . so when I was rung up and they said my only chance was to come here and have dinner with Sir John, I said I would because when he understands. . . . why should he ask me to dinner if he didn’t want to be friendly . . . it’ll be all right, really, because he can’t really mean to be so dreadful to a girl like me who doesn’t matter a bit to anyone.
DICK. You happen to matter to me. And to him. It would be worth a lot to him to get a confidential agent into West’s office. . . . your people do a lot of work for other firms besides Metal industries. . . . you could give him a lot of information. He wouldn’t go to all this trouble, dinner and all, if he didn’t think it pretty big. He means to try to talk you over or he’ll turn nasty. Suppose he does. . . .
ELSIE. Then I’ll kill myself. . . . only I might kill him first.
DICK. Leave that to me.
ELSIE. Oh, Dick, there he is. . . . look, getting out of the lift. . . . go away . . . Quick. . . . let me have this last chance.
DICK. All right. But I’ll stay around. I’ll be there if you want me. Or even if you don’t.
SIR JOHN. Ah, there you are, my dear. . . . I didn’t see you at first. . . . it is Miss White, isn’t it? I remember you at West’s office. . . . good job there, eh? . . . well, I can offer you a better. . . . now, now, nothing to look frightened about.
ELSIE. Sir John. . . . oh, please. . . . please . . . I want to explain. . . .
SIR JOHN. Yes, of course. That’s the idea. Explain it all. Nice and friendly. Over dinner. Dinner first and business next, hn, hn. And a cocktail to start with. Hi, you there, two White Ladies.
ELSIE. Oh, no. No. I’ll never, never, touch a cocktail again.
SIR JOHN. Very wise, too . . . very prudent. Only a little late in the day. You have tasted them, you know. Ha, ha. Remember? Good heavens, girl, don’t look as if you thought I wanted to eat you. . . . come along and eat your dinner instead. . . . I’ve ordered something special. . . . we’ll have our chat afterwards. Arrange everything. Friends together. Who is that tall, dark young man over there, scowling fit to split his face in two? Do you know him?
ELSIE. A . . . a little.
SIR JOHN. Jealous? Is that it? Well, never mind, let him scowl. You know, my dear, I always enjoy dining with a pretty girl, and you know I can offer a good deal. Look at this. Know what it is, eh?
ELSIE. Is it. . . . is it a diamond?
SIR JOHN. Ha, ha. Bless the child. It’s the Blue John diamond. Got it cheap. It’s worth three thousand any day. I didn’t pay that much though. Fellow wanted some money. I let him have it – the Blue John as security. Of course he meant to pay it back, but I took my little precautions to see he didn’t. So I got it for just exactly one tenth of its value. Make a nice pendant, wouldn’t it?
for a nice little girl. Now, now, nothing to look like that about. We’ll keep the whole thing on a strictly business footing if you like. For you to say. Now you wait here a moment while I lock the diamond in its case and put the case in the hotel safe. I shan’t keep you a minute.
ELSIE. Please God, make him kind . . . please God, make him kind.
SIR JOHN. Miss White. . . . round this way. . . . quick. . . . there’s a woman over there I want to dodge. . . . Lady Weedon . . . I had to divorce her and now she wants to come back . . . not if I know it. . . . what the devil is she doing here tonight? Oh, damn, she’s seen us. Why, Kathleen, a real pleasure to run across you again.
LADY WEEDON. Good gracious, John, is that you? What a surprise . . . Now, I call that real luck. . . . I was looking forward to a lonely miserable evening. . . . do be a sweet and dine with me. . . . it’s so long since we met. . . . but what are you doing here, of all places in the world? Do tell me all about it over a poulet a la reine Marguerite . . . such a coincidence . . . I happened to remember we had one here once, and how you enjoyed it.
SIR JOHN. Delighted. . . . nice of you to remember. . . . bit of bad luck though. . . . may I introduce a ward of mine, Miss Elsie White, daughter of a very old friend . . . I’ve promised to give her some advice on her private affairs. . . . confidential, of course. . . . I’m sure you’ll understand. Another time it would be the greatest pleasure in the world. . . . but this evening Miss White and I. . . . you understand, I’m sure.
LADY WEEDON. Of course . . . really, John, you are very lucky in your – wards. Charming girls, all of them.
SIR JOHN. Yes, quite so. . . . See you later, Kathleen.
LADY WEEDON. Miss White. . . . was that the name?. . . . charmed to make your acquaintance. . . . So your father was an old friend. . . . I never heard John mention the name I think. . . . but John has so many friends. . . . all charming. . . . so pleased to have met you, Miss – er – White. So delightfully unconventional, the modern girl. See you again, Johnny. I’m stopping here for the night. I’ll have to ring up some one else to share a widow’s solitary meal. Oh, page, where’s the ’phone?
Six Were Present: A Bobby Owen Mystery Page 24