(Enter the DRIVER.)
FORMAN (speaking at once — so as to break in on HOLMES): I’ve got her, sir!
(Very brief pause.)
WATSON: Good heavens! Is that Forman?
(HOLMES nods “Yes.”)
HOLMES: Yes, that’s Forman all right. Has Inspector Bradstreet Come with his men?
FORMAN: Yes, sir. One of ‘em’s in the hall there ‘olding her. The others are in the kitchen garden. They came in over the back Wall from Mortimer Street.
HOLMES: One moment. (Sits in thought.) Watson, my dear fellow — (WATSON moves toward HOLMES at desk.) As you doubtless gather from the little episode that has just taken place we are making the arrests. The scoundrels are hot on my track. To get me out of the way is the one chance left to them — and I taking advantage of their mad pursuit to draw them where we quietly lay our hands on them — one by one. We’ve made a pretty good haul already — four last night in the gas chamber — seven this afternoon in various places, and one more just now, but I regret to say that up to this time the Professor himself has so far not risen to the bait.
WATSON: Where do you think he is now?
HOLMES: In the open streets — under some clever disguise — watching for a chance to get at me.
WATSON: And was this woman sent in here to —
HOLMES: Quite so. A spy — to let them know by some signal, probably at that window — (pointing) — if she found me in the house. And it has Just occurred to me that it might not be such a bad idea to try the Professor with that bait. Forman! (Motions him to come down.)
FORMAN: Yes, sir!
HOLMES (voice lower) One moment (Business) Bring that Larrabee woman back here for a moment, and when I light a fresh cigarette — let go your hold on her — carelessly — as if your attention was attracted to something else. Get hold of her again when I tell you.
FORMAN: Very well sir.
(Goes quickly to re-enter bringing in MADGE LARRABEE. They stop. MADGE calm, but looks at HOLMES with the utmost hatred. Brief pause.)
HOLMES: My dear Mrs. Larrabee — (MADGE, who has looked away, turns to him angrily) — I took the liberty of having you brought in for a moment — (puffs cigarette, which he has nearly finished) — in order to convey to you in a few fitting words — my sincere sympathy in your rather — unpleasant — predicament,
MADGE (hissing it out angrily between her teeth): It’s a lie! It’s a lie! There’s no predicament.
HOLMES: Ah — I’m charmed to gather — from your rather forcible observation — that you do not regard it as such. Quite right, too. Our prisons are so well conducted now. Many consider them quite as comfortable as most of the hotels. Quieter and more orderly.
MADGE: How the prisons are conducted is no concern of mine! There is nothing they can hold me for — nothing.
HOLMES: Oh — to be sure. (Putting fresh cigarette in mouth.) There may be something in that. Still — it occurred to me that you might prefer to be near your unfortunate husband — eh? (Rises from table and goes to gas burner. Slight good-natured chuckle.) We hear a great deal about the heroic devotion of wives, and all that — (lights cigarette at gas) — rubbish. You know, Mrs. Larrabee, when we come right down to it — (FORMAN carelessly relinquishes his hold on MADGE’S arm, and seems to have his attention called to door. Stands as if listening to something outside. MADGE gives a quick glance about and at HOLMES who is lighting a cigarette at the gas, and apparently not noticing anything. She makes a sudden dash for the window, quickly snaps up blind and makes a rapid motion up and down before window with right hand — then turns quickly, facing HOLMES with triumphant defiance. HOLMES is still lighting cigarette.)
Many thanks. (To FORMAN.) That’s all, Forman. Pick her up again.
(FORMAN at once goes to MADGE and turns her and waits in front of window — holding her right wrist.)
Doctor, would you kindly pull the blind down once more. I don’t care to be shot from the street.
(WATSON instantly pulls down blind.)
(NOTE — Special care must be exercised regarding these window blinds. They must be made specially strong and solid, so that no failure to operate is possible.)
MADGE (in triumph): Ah! It’s too late.
HOLMES: Too late, eh? (Strolling a little.)
MADGE: The signal is given. You will hear from him soon.
HOLMES: It wouldn’t surprise me at all.
(Door bell rings.)
(Voices of BILLY and PARSONS outside. Door at once opened, BILLY on a little way, but held back by PARSONS for an instant. He breaks away from PARSONS. All very quick, BILLY dressed as a street gamin and carrying a bunch of evening papers)
(As BILLY comes.) I think I shall hear from him now. (Shout.) Let — (BILLY stands panting) — him go, Parsons. Quick, Billy.
(BILLY comes close to HOLMES.)
BILLY: He’s just come sir.
HOLMES: From where?
BILLY: The house across the street; he was in there a-watchin’ these windows. He must ‘ave seen something for he’s just come out — (Breathlessly.) There was a cab waitin’ in the street for the doctor — and he’s changed places with the driver.
HOLMES: Where did the driver go?
BILLY: He slunk away in the dark, sir, but he ain’t gone far, there’s two or three more ‘angin’ about.
HOLMES (slight motion of the head towards FORMAN): another driver to-night.
BILLY: They’re all in it, sir, an’ they’re a-layin’ to get you in that cab w’en you come out, sir! But don’t you do it, sir!
HOLMES: On the contrary, sir, I’ll have that new driver in here sir! Get out again quick, Billy, and keep your eyes on him!
BILLY: Yes, sir — thank you, sir! (Goes.)
HOLMES: Yes, sir! Watson, can you let me have a heavy portmanteau for a few moments — ?
(MADGE now watching for another chance to get at the window.)
WATSON: Parsons — my large Gladstone — bring it here!
PARSONS: Yes, sir. (Goes out.)
WATSON: I’m afraid it’s a pretty shabby looking —
(MADGE suddenly tries to break loose from FORMAN and attempt to make a dash for window. FORMAN turns and pulls her a step or two away. Slight pause.)
HOLMES: Many thanks, Mrs. Larrabee, but your first signal is all that we require. By it you informed your friend Moriarty that I was here in the house. You are now aware of the fact that he is impersonating a driver, and that it is my intention to have him in here. You wish to signal that there is danger. There is danger, Mrs. Larrabee, but we don’t care to have you let him know it. Take her out, Forman, and make her comfortable and happy.
(FORMAN leads MADGE up to centre door as if to take her out. She pulls him to a stop and gives HOLMES a look of the most violent hatred.)
And by the way, you might tell the inspector to wait a few moments. I may send him another lot. You can’t tell!
FORMAN: Come along now! (Takes her off)
(As MADGE is pulled up, she snaps her fingers in HOLMES’S face and goes off laughing hysterically.)
HOLMES: Fine woman!
(Enter PARSONS, carrying a large portmanteau or Gladstone valise.)
Put it down there. (Pointing down before him at floor.) Thank you so much.
(PARSONS puts portmanteau down as indicated.)
Parsons, you ordered a cab for the doctor a short time ago. It has been waiting, I believe.
PARSONS: Yes, sir, I think it ‘as.
HOLMES: Be so good as to tell the driver, the one you’ll now find there, to come in here and get a valise. See that he comes in himself When he comes tell him that’s the one.
(PARSONS goes.)
WATSON: But surely he won’t come in.
HOLMES: Surely he will! It’s his only chance to get me into that cab! He’ll take almost any risk for that. (Goes to above desk.) In times like this you should tell your man never to take the first cab that comes on a call — (smokes) — nor yet the second — the third may be safe!
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WATSON: But in this case —
HOLMES: My dear fellow, I admit that in this case I have it to my advantage, but I speak for your future guidance.
(Music Melodramatic danger agitato very subdued)
(Door opens. PARSONS enters, pointing the portmanteau out to some one who is following.)
PARSONS: ‘Ere it is — right in, this way.
HOLMES (goes to WATSON above table. In rather a loud voice to WATSON): Well, good-bye, old fellow! (Shakes hands with him warmly and bringing him down left a little.) I’ll write you from Paris — and I hope you’ll keep me fully informed of the progress of events.
(MORIARTY enters in the disguise of a cabman and goes at once to valise which PARSONS points out, trying to hurry it through and keeping face away from HOLMES but fidgeting about, not touching valise. PARSONS goes out.)
(Speaks right on, apparently paying no attention to MORIARTY) As for these papers I’ll attend to them personally. Here my man — (to MORIARTY) — just help me to tighten up these straps and bit — (He slides over to valise and kneels, pulling at strap, and MORIARTY bending over and doing same.) There are a few little things in this bag — (business) — that I wouldn’t like to lose — (business) — and its Just as well to — Eh — (looking round for instant) — who’s that at the window?
(MORIARTY quickly looks up without lifting hands from valise and at the same instant the snap of handcuffs is heard, and he springs up with the irons on his wrists, making two or three violent efforts to break loose. He then stands motionless. HOLMES drops into chair, a cigarette in his mouth. MORIARTY in rising knocks his hat off and stands facing audience.)
(Music stops.)
(In a very quiet tone.) Doctor, will you kindly strike the bell two or three times in rapid succession.
(WATSON steps to desk and gives several rapid strokes of the bell.)
Thanks!
(Enter FORMAN. FORMAN goes down to MORIARTY and fastens handcuffs which he has on his own wrists to chain attached to that of MORIARTY’S. This is held an instant — the two men looking at each other.)
Forman!
FORMAN: Yes, sir.
HOLMES: Got a man there with you?
FORMAN: Yes, sir, the inspector came in himself.
HOLMES: Ah — the inspector himself. We shall read graphic accounts in to-morrow’s papers of a very difficult arrest he succeeded in making at Dr. Watson’s house in Kensington. Take him out, Forman, and introduce him to the inspector — they’ll be pleased to meet.
(FORMAN starts to force MORIARTY off MORIARTY hangs back and endeavours to get at HOLMES — a very slight struggle.)
Here! Wait! Let’s see what he wants!
MORIARTY (low voice to HOLMES): Do you imagine, Sherlock Holmes, that this is the end.
HOLMES: I ventured to dream that it might be.
MORIARTY: Are you quite sure the police will be able to hold me?
HOLMES: I am quite sure of nothing.
MORIARTY: Ah! (Slight pause.) I have heard that you are planning to take a little trip — you and your friend here — a little trip on the Continent.
HOLMES: And if I do?
MORIARTY (a step to HOLMES): I shall meet you there. (Slight pause.)
HOLMES: That’s all, Forman.
(FORMAN moves up to door, quietly with MORIARTY.)
MORIARTY (stopping at door): I shall meet you there. You will Change your course — you will try to elude me — but whichever way you turn — there will be eyes that see and wires that tell. I shall meet you there — and you know it. You know it! — and you know it. (Goes with FORMAN.)
(Pause.)
HOLMES: Did you hear that, Watson?
WATSON: Yes — but surely you don’t place any importance on such —
HOLMES (stopping him with wave of hand): Oh! no importance. But I have a fancy that he spoke the truth.
WATSON: We’ll give up the trip.
HOLMES (a negative wave of the hand at WATSON): It would be quite the same. What matters it here or there — if it must come (Sits meditative)
WATSON (calling): Parsons!
(PARSONS comes in WATSON points to the valise PARSONS removes it and goes.)
HOLMES: Watson, my dear fellow — (smokes ) — it’s too bad. Now that this is all over, I suppose you imagine that your room will no longer be required. Let me assure — let me assure you (voice trembles) — that the worst is yet to come.
WATSON (stands in front of desk): The worst to — (Suddenly thinks of something. Pulls out watch hurriedly.) Why, heavens Holmes we have barely five minutes.
HOLMES (looks up innocently at him) For what?
WATSON: To get to Baker Street — your rooms!
(HOLMES still looks at him.)
Your appointment with Sir Edward and the Count! They were to receive that packet of letters from you.
HOLMES (nods assent): They’re coming here.
(Pause. WATSON looking at HOLMES.)
WATSON: Here!
HOLMES: That is — if you will be so good as to permit it.
WATSON Certainly — but why not there?
HOLMES: The police wouldn’t allow us inside the ropes.
WATSON: Police! Ropes!
HOLMES: Police — ropes — ladders — hose — crowds — engines —
WATSON: Why, you don’t mean that —
HOLMES (nods): Quite so — the devils have burned me out.
WATSON: Good heavens — burned you —
(Pause. HOLMES nods.)
Oh, that’s too bad. What did you lose?
HOLMES: Everything! — everything! I’m so glad of it! I’ve had enough. This one thing — (right hand strong gesture of emphasis — he stops in midst of sentence — a frown upon his face as he thinks — then in a lower voice) — ends it! This one thing — that I shall do — here in a few moments — is the finish. (HOLMES rises.)
WATSON: You mean — Miss Faulkner?
(HOLMES nods slightly in affirmative without turning to WATSON.)
(Love music. Very pp.)
HOLMES (turning suddenly to WATSON): Watson — she trusted me! She — clung to me! There were four to one against me! They said “Come here,” I said “Stay close to me,” and she did! She clung to me — I could feel her heart beating against mine — and I was playing a game! — (lower — parenthetical) — a dangerous game — but I was playing it! — It will be the same to-night! She’ll be there — I’ll be here! She’ll listen — she’ll believe — and she’ll trust me — and I’ll — be playing — a game. No more — I’ve had enough! It’s my last case!
(WATSON has been watching him narrowly.)
Oh well! what does it matter? Life is a small affair at the most — a little while — a few sunrises and sunsets — the warm breath of a few summers — the cold chill of a few winters — (Looking down on floor a little way before him in meditation.) And then — (Pause.)
WATSON: And then — ?
(HOLMES glances up at him. Upward toss of hand before speaking.)
HOLMES: And then.
(The music stops.)
WATSON (going to HOLMES): My dear Holmes — I’m afraid that plan of — gaining her confidence and regard went a little further than you intended —
(HOLMES nods assent slightly)
HOLMES (mutters after nodding): A trifle!
WATSON: For — her — or for you?
HOLMES: For her — (looks up at WATSON slowly) — and for me.
WATSON (astonished. After an instant’s pause): But — if you both love each other —
HOLMES (putting hand on WATSON to stop him sharply): Sh — ! Don’t say it! (Pause.) You mustn’t tempt me — with such a thought. That girl! — young — exquisite — just beginning her sweet life — I — seared, drugged, poisoned, almost at an end! No! no! I must cure her! I must stop it, now — while there’s time! (Pause.) She’s coming here.
WATSON: She won’t come alone?
HOLMES: No, Térèse will be with her.
Delphi Complete Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Illustrated) Page 940