Delphi Complete Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Illustrated)

by SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE

  CORONER: No doubt. But we must confine ourselves to the facts. Have you any explanation which will cover the facts of your stepdaughter’s death?

  RYLOTT: I know just as much of the matter as you do It is a complete and absolute mystery to me.

  CORONER: Speaking as a doctor, you had no misgivings as to her health?

  RYLOTT: She was never robust, but I had no reason for uneasiness.

  CORONER: It has come out in evidence that her happiness had been affected by your interference with her engagement?

  RYLOTT (rising): That is entirely a misunderstanding sir. As a matter of fact I interfered in order to protect her from a man I had every reason to believe was a mere fortune hunter. She saw it herself in that light and was relieved to see the last of him.

  CORONER: Excuse me sir but this introduces a new element into the case. Then the young lady had separate means?

  RYLOTT: An annuity under her mother’s will. (Sits.)

  CORONER: And to whom does it now go?

  RYLOTT: I believe that I might have a claim upon it but I am waiving it in favour of her sister.

  CORONER: Very handsome I am sure.

  (Murmurs from the JURY)

  ARMITAGE (rising): I expect sir so long as she lives under your roof you have the spending of it.

  CORONER: Well, well, we can hardly go into that.

  ARMITAGE: Had the young lady her own cheque book?

  CORONER: Really Mr. Armitage you get away from the subject.

  ARMITAGE: It is the subject.

  RYLOTT (rising): I am not here, sir, to submit to impertinence. (Sits. )

  CORONER: I must ask you, Mr. Armitage — (Holds up hand.)

  (ARMITAGE sits.)

  Now, Dr. Rylott, the medical evidence, as you are aware, gives us no cause of death. You can suggest none?

  RYLOTT: No, sir.

  CORONER: Your stepdaughter has affirmed that her sister unlocked her door before appearing in the passage. Can you confirm this?

  RYLOTT: Yes, I heard her unlock the door.

  CORONER: You arrived in the passage simultaneously with the lady?

  RYLOTT: Yes.

  CORONER: You had been aroused by the scream?

  RYLOTT: Yes.

  CORONER: And naturally you came at once?

  RYLOTT: Quite so. I was just in time to see her rush from her room and fall into her sister’s arms. I can only imagine that she had some nightmare or hideous dream which had been too much for her heart. That is my own theory of her death.

  CORONER: We have it on record that she said some incoherent words before she died.

  RYLOTT: I heard nothing of the sort.

  CORONER: She said nothing so far as you know?

  RYLOTT: Nothing.

  CORONER: Did you hear any music?

  RYLOTT: Music, sir? No, I heard none.

  CORONER: Well, what happened next?

  RYLOTT: I satisfied myself that the poor girl was dead. Rodgers, my butler, had arrived, and together we laid her on her couch. I can really tell you nothing more.

  CORONER: You did not at once send for a doctor?

  RYLOTT: Well, sir, I was a doctor myself. To satisfy ENID I Consented in the morning to telegraph for Dr. Watson, who had been the girls’ friend in India. I really could do no more.

  CORONER: Looking back, you have nothing with which to reproach yourself in your treatment of this lady?

  RYLOTT: She was the apple of my eye, I would have given my life for her.

  CORONER: Well, gentlemen, any questions?

  ARMITAGE: Yes, a good many. (Rising.)

  (The other JURYMEN show some impatience.)

  Well, I pay my way, the same as the rest of you, and I claim my rights. Mr. Coroner, I claim my rights.

  CORONER: Well, well, Mr. Armitage, be as short as you can (Looks at his watch.) It is nearly two.

  ARMITAGE: See here, Dr. Rylott, what about that great hound of yours? What about that whip you carry. What about the tales we hear down in the village of your bully-raggin’ them young ladies?

  RYLOTT (rising): Really, Mr. Coroner, I must claim your protection. This fellow’s impertinence is intolerable.

  CORONER: You go rather far, Mr. Armitage. You must confine yourself to definite questions upon matters of fact.

  (RYLOTT sits.)

  ARMITAGE: Well, then, do you sleep with a light in your room?

  RYLOTT: No, I do not.

  ARMITAGE: How was you dressed in the passage?

  RYLOTT: In my dressing-gown.

  ARMITAGE: How did you get it?

  RYLOTT: I struck a light, of course, and took it from a hook.

  ARMITAGE: Well, if you did all that, how did you come into the passage as quick as the young lady who ran out just as she was?

  RYLOTT: I can only tell you it was so.

  ARMITAGE: Well, I can only tell you I don’t believe it.

  CORONER: You must withdraw that, Mr. Armitage.

  ARMITAGE: I says what I mean, Mr. Coroner, and I say it again, I don’t believe it. I’ve got common sense if I haven’t got education.

  RYLOTT (rising): I can afford to disregard his remarks, Coroner.

  CORONER: Anything else, Mr. Armitage?

  ARMITAGE: I’ve said my say, and I stick to it.

  CORONER: Then that will do, Dr. Rylott.

  (Pause. DR. RYLOTT is going up towards the morning door.)

  By the way, can your Indian servant help us at all in the matter?

  RYLOTT (coming down again): Ali sleeps in a garret and knew nothing till next morning. He is my personal valet.

  CORONER: Then we need not call him. Very good, Dr. Rylott. you can remain if you wish. (To JURY.) Well, gentlemen, you have heard the evidence relating to this very painful case. There are several conceivable alternatives. There is death by murder. Of this I need not say there is not a shadow or tittle of evidence. There is death by suicide. Here, again, the presumption is absolutely against it. Then there is death by accident. We have nothing to lead us to believe that there has been an accident. Finally, we come to death by natural causes. It must be admitted that these natural causes are obscure, but the processes of nature are often mysterious, and we cannot claim to have such an exact knowledge of them that we can always define them. You have read the evidence of Professor Van Donop and you have heard that of Dr. Watson. If you are not satisfied it is always within your competence to declare that death arose from unknown causes. It is for you to form your own conclusions.

  (The JURY buzz together for a moment. The CORONERlooks at his watch, rises, and goes over to DR. RYLOTT.)

  We are later than I intended.

  RYLOTT: These absurd interruptions — !

  CORONER: Yes, at these country inquests we generally have some queer fellows on the jury.

  RYLOTT: Lunch must be ready. Won’t you join us.

  CORONER: Well, well, I shall be delighted.

  FOREMAN: We are all ready, sir.

  (CORONER returns to table.)

  CORONER: Well, gentlemen? (Sits.)

  FOREMAN: We are for unknown causes.

  CORONER: Quite so. Unanimous?

  ARMITAGE: No, sir. I am for further investigation. I don’t say it’s unknown and I won’t say it’s unknown.

  CORONER: I entirely agree with the majority finding. Well, gentlemen that will finish our labours. Officer —

  (The OFFICER comes to him. ARMITAGE sits.)

  You will all sign the inquisition before you leave this room officer will take your signatures as you pass out

  (The JURY rise — sign book as they go out into the entrance hall.)

  (Crossing to ARMITAGE)

  Mr. Armitage One moment. Mr. Armitage I am sorry that you are not yet satisfied.

  ARMITAGE: No sir I am not.

  CORONER: You are a little exacting (Turns away)

  RYLOTT (touching ARMITAGE on the shoulder): I have only one thing to say to you sir. Get out of my house. Do you hear?

  ARMITAGE: Yes Dr Rylott
I hear. And I seem to hear something else. Something crying from the ground, Dr. Rylott, from the ground.

  (Exits slowly into the entrance hall)

  RYLOTT: Impertinent rascal! (Turns away)

  (Enter WATSON, ENID and the other witnesses from the morning room. They all file out towards the entrance hail)

  (ENID has come down stage. DR WATSON comes back from door)

  WATSON: Good bye Miss Enid (Shakes hands. Then in a lower voice) Don t forget that you have a friend.

  (He goes out)

  (Business of CORONER and RYLOTT lighting cigarettes — ENID catches RYLOTT’S eye across CORONER and shrinks down onto a chair)

  CURTAIN

  ACT II

  Two years have elapsed between Acts I and II

  SCENE I

  DR. RYLOTT’S study at Stoke Place.

  The door at one side, a pair of French windows on the other.

  It is two years later.

  Enter MRS. STAUNTON, showing in ARMITAGE.

  MRS. STAUNTON: I can’t tell how long the Doctor may be. It’s not long since he went out.

  ARMITAGE: Well, I’ll wait for him, however long it is.

  MRS. STAUNTON: It’s nothing I could do for you, I suppose.

  ARMITAGE: No, it is not.

  MRS. STAUNTON: Well, you need not be so short. Perhaps, after you’ve seen the Doctor, you may be sorry.

  ARMITAGE: There’s the law of England watching over me, Mrs. Staunton. I advise you not to forget it — nor your master either. I fear no man so long as I am doing my duty.

  (Enter ENID.)

  Ah, Miss Stonor, I am very glad to see you.

  ENID (bewildered): Good-day, Mr. Armitage. What brings you up here?

  ARMITAGE: I had a little business with the Doctor. But I should be very glad to have a chat with you also.

  MRS. STAUNTON: I don’t think the Doctor would like it, Miss Enid.

  ARMITAGE: A pretty state of things. Isn’t this young lady able to speak with whoever she likes? Do you call this a prison, or a private asylum, or what? These are fine doings in a free country.

  MRS. STAUNTON: I am sure the Doctor would not like it.

  ARMITAGE: Look here, Mrs. Staunton, two is company and three is none. If I’m not afraid of your master, I’m not afraid of YOU. You’re a bit beyond your station, you are. Get to the other side of that door and leave us alone, or else —

  MRS. STAUNTON: Or what, Mr. Armitage?

  ARMITAGE: As sure as my father was a Methodist I’ll go down to the J.P. and swear out an information that this young lady is under constraint.

  MRS. STAUNTON: Oh — well, you need not be so hot about it. It’s nothing to me what you say to Miss Enid. But the Doctor won’t like it.

  (She goes out)

  ARMITAGE (looking at the door): You haven’t such a thing as a hatpin? (Crossing over to door)

  ENID: No.

  ARMITAGE: If I were to jab it through that keyhole —

  ENID: Mr. Armitage please don’t.

  ARMITAGE: You’d hear Sister Jane’s top note. But we’ll speak low for I don’t mean she shall hear. First of all Miss Enid are they using you? Are you all right?

  ENID: Mr. Armitage I know you mean it all for kindness but I cannot discuss my personal affairs with you. I hardly know you.

  ARMITAGE: Only the village grocer. I know all about that. But I’ve taken an interest in you Miss Stonor and I’m not the kind of man that can’t leave go his hold. I came here not to see you, but your stepfather.

  ENID: Oh, Mr. Armitage, I beg you to go away at once. You have no idea how violent he is if any one thwarts him. Please, please go at once.

  ARMITAGE: Well Miss Stonor your only chance of getting to go is to answer my questions. When my conscience is clear, I’ll go and not before. My conscience tells me that it is my duty to stay here till I have some satisfaction.

  ENID (crossing to settee and sitting): What is it, Mr. Armitage. Let’s sit down.

  ARMITAGE (bringing chair over to settee): Well I’ll tell you. I make it my business to know what is going on in this house. It may be that I like you or it may be that I dislike your stepfather. Or it may be that it is just my nature but so it is I’ve got my own ways of finding out, and I find out.

  ENID: What have you found out?

  ARMITAGE: Now look here, Miss. Cast your mind back to that inquest two years ago.

  ENID: Oh! (Turning away.)

  ARMITAGE: I’m sorry if it hurts you, but I must speak plain. When did your sister meet her death? It was shortly after her engagement was it not?

  ENID: Yes, it was.

  ARMITAGE: Well, you’re engaged now, are you not?

  ENID: Yes, I am.

  ARMITAGE: Point number one. Well, now, have there not been repairs lately, and are you not forced to sleep in the very room your sister died in?

  ENID: Only for a few nights.

  ARMITAGE: Point number two. In your evidence you said you heard music in the house at night. Have you never heard music of late?

  ENID: Good God! only last night I thought I heard it; and then persuaded myself that it was a dream. But how do you know these things, Mr. Armitage, and what do they mean?

  ARMITAGE: Well, I won’t tell you how I know them, and I can’t tell you what they mean. But it’s devilish, Miss Stonor, devilish! (Rising.) Now I’ve come up to see your stepfather and to tell him, as man to man, that I’ve got my eye on him, and that if anything happens to you it will be a bad day’s work for him.

  ENID (rising): Oh, Mr. Armitage, he would beat you within an inch of your life. Mr. Armitage, you cannot think what he is like when the fury is on him. He is terrible.

  ARMITAGE: The law will look after me.

  ENID: It might avenge you, Mr. Armitage, but it could not protect you. Besides, there is no possible danger. You know of my engagement to Lieutenant Curtis?

  ARMITAGE: I hear he leaves to-morrow.

  ENID: That is true. But the next day I am going on a visit to his mother, at Fenton. Indeed, there is no danger.

  ARMITAGE: Well, I won’t deny that I am consoled by what you say, but there’s just one condition on which I would leave this house.

  ENID: What is that?

  ARMITAGE: Well, I remember your friend, Dr. Watson, at the inquest — and we’ve heard of his connection with Mr. Sherlock HOLMES. If you’ll promise me that you’ll slip away to London to-morrow, see those two gentlemen, and get their advice, I’ll wash my hands of it. I should feel that some one stronger than me Was looking after you.

  ENID: Oh, Mr. Armitage, I couldn’t.

  ARMITAGE (folding his arms): Then I stay here.

  ENID: It is Lieutenant Curtis’s last day in England.

  ARMITAGE: When does he leave?

  ENID: In the evening.

  ARMITAGE: Well if you go in the morning you’d be back in time.

  ENID: But how can I get away?

  ARMITAGE: Who’s to stop you? Have you money?

  ENID: Yes, I have enough.

  ARMITAGE: Then go.

  ENID: It is really impossible.

  ARMITAGE (sitting): Very good. Then I’ll have it out with Doctor.

  ENID (crossing to him): There, there! I’ll promise. I’ll go. I won’t have you hurt I’ll write and arrange it all somehow.

  ARMITAGE: Word of honour?

  ENID: Yes, yes I’ll write to Dr Watson. Oh do go. This way. (Goes to the French window) If you keep among the laurels you can get to the high road and no one will meet you.

  ARMITAGE (going up to the windows. Pause. Returning): That dog about?

  ENID: It is with the Doctor. Oh do go! and thank you — Thank you with all my heart.

  ARMITAGE: My wife and I can always take you in. Don’t you forget it.

  (ARMITAGE goes out ENID stands looking after him. As she does so Mrs Staunton enters the room)