(HOLMES turns and goes to door to surgery, getting a book on the way, and placing it in the way of door closing. Turns to WATSON)
When she comes let her wait in that room. You can manage that, I’m quite sure.
WATSON: Certainly — Do you intend to leave that book there
HOLMES (nods “Yes”): To keep that door from closing. She is to overhear.
WATSON: I see.
HOLMES: Sir Edward and the Count are very likely to become excited. I shall endeavour to make them so. You must not be alarmed old fellow.
(Bell of outside door rings off HOLMES and WATSON look at one another.)
(Going to centre door.) She may be there now. I’ll go to your dressing-room, if you’ll allow me, and brush away some of this dust.
WATSON: By all means! (Goes to door.) My wife is in the drawing-room. Do look in on her a moment — it will please her so much.
HOLMES (at door): My dear fellow, it will more than please me! (Opens door. Piano heard off when the door is opened.) Mrs. Watson! Home! Love! Life! Ah, Watson! (Eyes glance about thinking. He sighs a little absently, suddenly turns and goes out.)
(WATSON turns and goes to his desk — not to sit. Enter PARSONS.)
PARSONS: A lady sir, wants to know if she can speak to you. If there’s anyone ‘ere she won’t come in.
WATSON: Any-name?
PARSONS: No, sir. I asked her and she said it was unnecessary — as you wouldn’t know ‘er. She ‘as ‘er maid with ‘er, sir.
WATSON: Then it must be — Show her in.
(PARSONS turns to go.)
And Parsons — (PARSONS stops and turns.)
(Lower voice.) Two gentlemen, Count von Stalburg and Sir Edward Leighton will call. Bring them here to this room at once, and then tell Mr. Holmes. You’ll find him in my dressing-room.
PARSONS: Yes, sir.
WATSON: Send everybody else away — I’ll see that lady.
PARSONS: Yes, sir.
(He goes, leaving door open. Brief pause. PARSONS appears outside door, showing some one to the room. Enter ALICE FAULKNER. ALICE glances apprehensively about, fearing she will see HOLMES. Seeing that WATSON is alone, she is much relieved and goes towards him. PARSONS closes door from outside.)
ALICE (with some timidity): Is this — is this Doctor Watson’s room?
WATSON (encouragingly — and advancing a step or two): Yes, and I am Doctor Watson.
ALICE: Is — would you mind telling me if Mr. Holmes — Mr. — Sherlock Holmes — is here?
WATSON: He will be before long, Miss — er —
ALICE: My name is Alice Faulkner.
WATSON: Miss Faulkner. He came a short time ago, but has gone upstairs for a few moments.
ALICE: Oh! — (with an apprehensive look) — and is he coming down — soon?
WATSON: Well the fact is Miss Faulkner he has an appointment with two gentlemen here and I was to let him know as soon as they arrived.
ALICE: Do you suppose I could wait — without troubling you too much — and see him — afterwards?
WATSON: Why certainly.
ALICE: Thank you — and I — I don’t want him to know — that — I — that I came.
WATSON: Of course, if you wish, there’s no need of my telling him.
ALICE: It’s — very important indeed that you don’t, Dr Watson. I can explain it all to you afterwards.
WATSON: No explanation is necessary Miss Faulkner.
ALICE: Thank you (Glances about) I suppose there is a waiting room for patients?
WATSON: Yes or you could sit in there (Indicating surgery door) You’ll be less likely to be disturbed.
ALICE: Yes, thank you. (ALICE glances toward door.) I think I would rather be — where its entirely quiet.
(Bell of front door outside rings)
WATSON (going to surgery door): Then step this way. I think the gentlemen have arrived.
ALICE (goes to door and turns): And when the business between the gentlemen is over would you please have some one tell me?
WATSON: I’ll tell you myself Miss Faulkner.
ALICE: Thank you (She goes)
(PARSONS enters)
PARSONS: Count von Stalburg. Sir Edward Leighton.
(Enter SIR EDWARD and COUNT VON STALBURG. PARSONS goes, closing door after him)
WATSON: Count — Sir Edward — (Bowing and coming forward)
SIR EDWARD: Dr Watson (Bows) Good evening (Placing hat on pedestal.)
(VON STALBURG bows slightly and stands)
Our appointment with Mr. Holmes was changed to your house, I believe
WATSON: Quite right, Sir Edward. Pray be seated, gentlemen.
(SIR EDWARD and WATSON sit.)
VON STALBURG: Mr. Holmes is a trifle late. (Sits.)
WATSON: He has already arrived, Count. I have sent for him.
VON STALBURG: Ugh!
(Slight pause.)
SIR EDWARD: It was quite a surprise to receive his message an hour ago changing the place of meeting. We should otherwise have gone to his house in Baker Street.
WATSON: You would have found it in ashes, Sir Edward.
SIR EDWARD: What! Really!
VON STALBURG: Ugh!
(Both looking at WATSON.)
SIR EDWARD: The — the house burnt!
WATSON: Burning now, probably.
SIR EDWARD: I’m very sorry to hear this. It must be a severe blow to him.
WATSON: No, he minds it very little.
SIR EDWARD (surprised): Really! I should hardly have thought it.
VON STALBURG: Did I understand you to say, doctor, that you had sent for Mr. Holmes?
WATSON: Yes, Count, and he’ll be here shortly. Indeed, I think I hear him on the stairs now.
(Pause. Enter HOLMES at centre door. He is very pale. His clothing is re-arranged and cleansed, though he still, of course, wears the clerical suit, white tie, etc. He stands near door a moment. SIR EDWARD and COUNT rise and turn to him. WATSON rises and goes to desk, where he soon seats himself in chair behind desk. SIR EDWARD and the COUNT stand looking at HOLMES. Brief Pause.)
HOLMES (coming forward and speaking in a low clear voice, entirely calm, but showing some suppressed feeling or anxiety at the back of it): Gentlemen, be seated again, I beg.
(Brief pause. SIR EDWARD and the COUNT reseat themselves. HOLMES remains standing. He stands looking down before him for quite a while, others looking at him. He finally begins to speak in a low voice without first looking up)
Our business to-night can be quickly disposed of. I need not tell you, gentlemen — for I have already told you — that the part I play in it is more than painful to me. But business is business — and the sooner it is over the better. You were notified to come here this evening in order that I might — (pause) — deliver into your hands the packet which you engaged me — on behalf of your exalted client —
(COUNT and SIR EDWARD bow slightly at “exalted client.” )
— to recover. Let me say, in justice to myself, that but for that agreement on my part, and the consequent steps which you took upon the basis of it, I would never have continued with the work. As it was, however, I felt bound to do so, and therefore pursued the matter — to the very end — and I now have the honor to deliver it into your hands.
(HOLMES goes toward SIR EDWARD with the packet. SIR EDWARD rises and meets him. HOLMES places the packet in his hands, COUNT VON STALBURG rises and stands at his chair.)
SIR EDWARD (formally): Permit me to congratulate you, Holmes, upon the marvellous skill you have displayed, and the promptness with which you have fulfilled your agreement.
(HOLMES bows slightly and turns away. SIR EDWARD at once breaks the seals of the packet and looks at the contents. He begins to show some surprise as he glances at one or two letters or papers and at once looks closer. He quickly motions to COUNT, who goes at once to him. He whispers something to him, and they both look at two or three things together.) ,
VON STALBURG: Oh! No! No!
SI
R EDWARD (stopping examination and looking across to HOLMES): What does this mean? (Pause.)
(HOLMES turns to SIR EDWARD in apparent surprise.)
These letters! And these — other things. Where did you get them?
HOLMES: I purchased them — last night.
SIR EDWARD: Purchased them?
HOLMES: Quite so — quite so.
VON STALBURG: From whom — if I may ask?
HOLMES: From whom? From the parties interested — by consent of Miss Faulkner.
SIR EDWARD: You have been deceived.
HOLMES: What!
(WATSON rises and stands at his desk.)
SIR EDWARD (excitedly): This packet contains nothing — not a single letter or paper that we wanted. All clever imitations! The photographs are of another person! You have been duped. With all your supposed cleverness, they have tricked you! Ha! ha! ha!
VON STALBURG: Most decidedly duped, Mr. Holmes!
(HOLMES turns quickly to SIR EDWARD.)
HOLMES: Why, this is terrible! (Turns back to WATSON. Stands looking in his face.)
SIR EDWARD (astonished): Terrible! Surely, sir, you do not mean by that, that there is a possibility you may not be able to recover them!
(Enter ALICE and stands listening.)
HOLMES: It’s quite true!
SIR EDWARD: After your positive assurance! After the steps we have taken in the matter by your advice! Why — why, this is — (Turns to COUNT, too indignant to speak.)
VON STALBURG (indignantly): Surely, sir, you don’t mean there is no hope of it?
HOLMES: None whatever, Count. It is too late now! I can’t begin all over again!
SIR EDWARD: Why, this is scandalous! It is criminal, sir! You had no right to mislead us in this way, and you shall certainly suffer the consequences. I shall see that you are brought into court to answer for it, Mr. Holmes. It will be such a blow to your reputation that you —
HOLMES: There is nothing to do, Sir Edward — I am ruined — ruined —
ALICE (coming forward): He is not ruined, Sir Edward. (quiet voice, perfectly calm and self-possessed; she draws the genuine packet from her dress.) It is entirely owing to him and what he said to me that I now wish to give you the — (Starting toward SIR EDWARD as if to hand him the packet.)
(HOLMES steps forward and intercepts her with left hand extended. She stops surprised.)
HOLMES: One moment — (Pause.) Allow me. (He takes packet from her hand.)
(WATSON stands looking at the scene. Pause. HOLMES stands with the package in his hand looking down for a moment. He raises his head, as if he overcame weakness — glances at his watch, and turns to SIR EDWARD and the COUNT. He speaks quietly as if the climax of the tragedy were passed — the deed done. ALICE’S questioning gaze he plainly avoids.)
Gentlemen — (putting watch back in pocket) — I notified you in my letter of this morning that the package should be produced at a quarter-past nine. It is barely fourteen past — and this is it. The one you have there, as you have already discovered, is a counterfeit.
(Love music.)
(HOLMES turns a little, sees ALICE, stands looking at her. ALICE is looking at HOLMES with astonishment and horror. She moves back a little involuntarily.)
SIR EDWARD and VON STALBURG (staring up with admiration and delight as they perceive the trick): Ah! excellent! Admirable, Mr. Holmes! It is all clear now! Really marvellous! (To one another, etc.) Yes — upon my word!
(On SIR EDWARD and COUNT breaking into expressions of admiration, WATSON quickly moves up to them, and stops them with a quick “Sh!” All stand motionless. HOLMES and ALICE looking at one another. HOLMES goes quickly to ALICE and puts the package into her hands.)
HOLMES (as he does this): Take this, Miss Faulkner. Take it away from me, quick! It is yours. Never give it up. Use it only for what you wish!
(Stop music.)
SIR EDWARD (springing forward with a mild exclamation): What! We are not to have it? (Throwing other package up stage.)
(VON STALBURG gives an exclamation or look with foregoing.)
HOLMES (turning from ALICE — but keeping left hand back upon her hands into which he put the package — as if to make her keep it. Strong — breathless — not loud — with emphatic shake of head): No, you are not to have it.
SIR EDWARD: After all this?
HOLMES: After all this.
VON STALBURG: But, my dear sir —
SIR EDWARD: This is outrageous! Your agreement?
HOLMES: I break it! Do what you please — warrants — summons — arrests — will find me here! (Turns up and says under his breath to WATSON.) Get them out! Get them away! (Stands by WATSON’S desk, his back to the audience.)
(Brief pause. WATSON moves toward SIR EDWARD and the COUNT at the back of HOLMES.)
WATSON: I’m sure, gentlemen, that you will appreciate the fact — -
ALICE (stepping forward — interrupting): Wait a moment, Doctor Watson! (Going to SIR EDWARD.) Here is the package, Sir Edward! (Hands it to SIR EDWARD at once.)
(WATSON motions to PARSONS, off to come on.)
HOLMES (turning to ALICE): No!
ALICE (to HOLMES): Yes — (Turning to HOLMES. Pause.) I much prefer that he should have them. Since you last came that night and asked me to give them to you, I have thought of what you said. You were right — it was revenge. (She looks down a moment, then suddenly turns away.)
(HOLMES stands motionless, near corner of desk, his eyes down. PARSONS enters and stands waiting with SIR EDWARD’S hat in his hand, which he took from off pedestal.)
SIR EDWARD: We are greatly indebted to you, Miss Faulkner —
(Looks at VON STALBURG.)
VON STALBURG: To be sure!
SIR EDWARD: And to you, too, Mr. Holmes — if this was a part of the game. (Motionless pause all round. Examining papers carefully. COUNT looking at them also.) It was certainly an extraordinary method of obtaining possession of valuable papers — but we won’t quarrel with the method as long as it accomplished the desired result! Eh, Count? (Placing package in breast pocket and buttoning coat.)
VON STALBURG: Certainly not, Sir Edward.
SIR EDWARD (turning to HOLMES): You have only to notify me of the charge for your services — (ALICE gives a little look of bitterness at the word “charge”) — Mr. Holmes, and you will receive a cheque I have the honour to wish you — good night.
(Music till end of Act)
(Bowing punctiliously.) Dr. Watson. (Bowing at WATSON.) This way, Count.
(WATSON bows and follows them to door. HOLMES does not move. COUNT VON STALBURG bows to HOLMES and to WATSON and goes, followed by SIR EDWARD. PARSONS exits after giving SIR EDWARD his hat. WATSON quietly turns and sees HOLMES beckoning to him. WATSON goes to HOLMES, who whispers to him after which he quietly goes. HOLMES after a moment’s pause, looks at ALICE.)
HOLMES (speaks hurriedly): Now that you think it over, Miss Faulkner, you are doubtless beginning to realise the series of tricks by which I sought to deprive you of your property. I couldn’t take it out of the house that night like a straightforward thief — because it could have been recovered at law, and for that reason I resorted to a cruel and cowardly device which should induce you to relinquish it.
ALICE (not looking at him): But you — you did not give it to them —
(Pause.)
HOLMES (in a forced cynical hard voice): No — I preferred that you should do as you did.
(ALICE looks suddenly up at him in surprise and pain, with a breathless “ What?” scarcely audible. HOLMES meets her look without a tremor.)
(Slowly, distinctly.) You see, Miss Faulkner, it was a trick — a deception — to the very — end.
(ALICE looks in his face a moment longer and then down.)
Your maid is waiting.
ALICE (stopping him by speech — no action): And was it — a trick last night — when they tried to kill you?
HOLMES (hearing ALICE, stops dead): I went there to purchase the counterfeit p
ackage — to use as you have seen.
ALICE: And — did you know I would come?
(Pause.)
HOLMES: No.
Delphi Complete Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Illustrated) Page 941