‘True,’ said Giles. ‘But remember I have already looked for who had the opportunity in this case and as I mentioned I believe I already know who the person was. I can now apply my skill as a detective to find the reason why. That’s the time for motive to come into the equation. Now if you’ll excuse me I’ll give the police a call to say that our disappearing actor is no longer a missing person and will soon be well enough to carry on with rehearsals.’
Mark nodded and went over to Walter. ‘Best get everyone on stage, apart from Cyril, of course. Give them a pep talk to allay fears and rustle up enthusiasm. It’s vital we get things going quickly.’
‘Walter has now decided to take Cyril’s part,’ declared Mark. ‘We’ll have another go at the double illusion. Once that’s over we can start a run through of the play.’
The cast appeared surprisingly easy to cajole into continuing with rehearsals as they left the Green Room to go on stage. When everyone had gone Laura took Giles to one side. ‘What mischief are you up to now?’ she asked. ‘I thought you’d already contacted the police to let them know Cyril was no longer missing?’
Giles smiled. ‘Of course I did,’ he said. ‘But I wanted Mark and Walter to think I’d forgotten. I hoped they’d think I was going to make that telephone call but what I really want to do is to make another search. And I need your help.’
‘But the missing person has been found Giles,’ said Freddie. ‘I hope you’re not losing your marbles.’
Giles beckoned to Laura and Freddie with a wagging finger. ‘I want you both to come with me,’ he said, ‘downstairs in the basement where I want your help to make a thorough search of the props room.’
‘What are we looking for?’ said Freddie.
Freddie and Laura looked at Giles with eyebrows raised. Freddie muttered ‘Hmm,’ and Laura shook her head ever so slightly without saying a word.
‘What?’ Giles asked gently.
‘Looking for something in particular are we?’ said Freddie. ‘You’re up to something aren’t you?’
‘How did you guess?’ said Giles, throwing Freddie a look as if to suggest he was totally unaware of what Freddie was thinking. ‘It’s just a little whim of mine and might not amount to anything.’
‘Don’t listen to him Freddie,’ said Laura. ‘Experience has taught me that Giles’ whims invariably amount to something important even though, when it happens, I’m usually none the wiser.’
‘The props room it is then,’ said Freddie. ‘But if you want us to help you look for something I think it best if you gave us a clue.’
‘Freddie’s right,’ said Laura. ‘My previous visits to the props room gave me the distinct impression that looking for something there would be even more difficult than searching for a bullet hole on the stage unless you tell us what you’re looking for. Don’t keep us in suspense.’
‘No problem,’ said Giles. ‘As we’re in a theatre I believe it’s not correct to mention the title of this particular play. So I’ll refrain from that and just mention that in the Scottish play wasn’t it Lady Macbeth who saw what I’m looking for?’
‘A dagger?’ queried Freddie.
‘Hmm!’ said Giles. ‘A dagger or something similar. A sharp blade. There’s bound to be such a thing in a theatre props room. Don’t you think?’
‘Why a dagger?’ asked Freddie. ‘You’re not thinking of stabbing someone, are you?’
‘But,’ Laura reminded Giles, ‘haven’t you brought an illusion into this play where one of the twins stabs the other making it look like the real thing?’
‘That isn’t the weapon I’m looking for. I happen to know where that is.’
‘Well if you find this dagger or sharp blade what do you intend doing with it?’ asked Laura. ‘Anyway I’m not entirely sure theatres use sharp weapons in plays. They’d cause all sorts of accidents. I think you’ll be on a wild goose chase.’
‘I don’t intend to stab anyone Freddie. And you’re quite right Laura. I doubt if any theatre would think about having a sharp blade in their props room. But if someone wished to hide such a weapon the best place to hide it would be somewhere that is so obvious no one would even give it a thought.’
‘Not sure what you really mean?’ said Freddie.
‘Let’s say, for example, you wished to hide a diamond without anyone suspecting where it might be,’ said Giles. ‘If you placed the diamond amongst other items that looked much the same such as a chandelier in full view of those looking for the object there’s every chance the diamond would remain undetected. So if you wanted to hide a dagger what better place to hide it than in a theatre’s props room along with other daggers.’
‘I don’t doubt what you say Giles,’ said Laura. ‘But that still doesn’t explain why you’re looking for a dagger. Or what you want to do with it if you find it.’
‘In good time, Laura!’ said Giles. ‘In good time! I’ll have answers to most questions if I find what I’m looking for. As for what I want to do with it if I find it Laura…!’
‘Well?’
‘I just want to look at it’
Laura and Freddie looked at each other as if mystified by what they’d heard.
‘Don’t tell me you’ve become interested in collectables,’ said Freddie. ‘This blade you’re looking for… has it an incredible market value? A sort of antique encrusted with precious stones? Is there something special on it?’
‘No need for sarcasm Freddie. Take my word. The dagger is important. There could well be something special on it. Something very special indeed.’ Giles rubbed his hands. ‘Let’s start here,’ he said when they had reached the bottom of the stairs leading to the props room. ‘We might even be lucky enough to find a gun. Even a gun that fires real bullets, though I rather doubt it.’
The search lasted the best part of half an hour but finally they had to give up. No dagger was found. No sharp blade. No gun firing bullets.
‘You look very disappointed Giles,’ said Laura. ‘Did you honestly expect to find this dagger?’
Giles looked thoughtful as he paused and stroked his chin. ‘There was a slim possibility,’ he said. ‘But something has just occurred to me.’
‘Another of your hunches?’ asked Freddie grinning.
‘You could say that,’ said Giles. ‘I was just remembering when we spoke to Cyril in the dressing room and I jokingly said something like I’m sure you didn’t tell them at casualty that you’d cut yourself shaving.’
‘I do remember you saying that Giles and I thought it was very naughty of you,’ said Laura. ‘But why has that any significance?’
Giles smiled and a glint came into his eyes. ‘We may have wasted precious minutes looking for a dagger. It’s more than likely we should have been looking for a razor blade. And we wouldn’t have found that kind of thing in the props room either unless it was of the cut-throat variety.’
‘I didn’t see anything like that in the props room,’ said Laura. ‘Do you want to have another look?’
‘No,’ said Giles. ‘A cut-throat razor would probably not have anything on it. I’m pretty sure of that and anyway a stage razor would be blunt. I think we should return to the Green Room and see how Cyril is feeling.’
Cyril was fast asleep when they got to the Green Room. His colour had returned. Laura thought he was slightly flushed and was out of breath as if he’d been running. ‘I think we should let him rest awhile.,’ she said. She slipped off her cardigan and placed it over his shoulder.
Giles nodded agreement. ‘Let’s go to the auditorium and watch them doing the run-through,’ he said. ‘It might be very interesting to see how things have gone since we’ve been in the props room.’
When they got to the auditorium expecting to see the play in full swing there was a surprise waiting for them. The stage was empty and all they could hear were the murmured voices coming from the doorway where Cyril would normally have come from when the double illusion was being performed. Giles looked at Laura and Freddie who shook their
heads and shrugged their shoulders in obvious consternation. ‘What do you think is going on?’ said Laura.
‘I’m not exactly sure,’ said Giles. ‘But I think we’ll soon find out.’
They crossed over to the aisle on the side of the auditorium where Robert Burns gazed out impervious to the riddles of the theatre and went along the aisle to the doorway leading to the foyer where all connected with the play were chattering excitedly. Mark sat with his back to a wall.
‘What’s happened?’ said Giles, pulling Walter to one side.
‘I’m afraid Mark’s had a nasty shock. We decided he should take over the role of Cyril for the double illusion and as Freddie wasn’t with us to operate the stage door we decided it wasn’t necessary for the trap to be used. We just got Dicky to stand on the trap door and give a signal to Mark when the trap was supposed to be opened.’ Walter stopped to catch his breath. ‘Mark was out of sight behind the foyer door and when Dicky cried out giving the signal that the trap was opened we expected Mark to appear. Nothing happened. I thought he possibly hadn’t heard the signal so I shouted to him but without reply I went to the doorway and on opening the door I found Mark on the floor in a terrible state. I called the others and someone went for a glass of water. I think it was the Fairy Godmother. She managed to get his pill box from his jacket and give him one. He’s been lying here ever since. He was speechless for a time but gradually he was able to find enough energy to get some words across.’
‘What did he manage to tell you?’ asked Giles.
‘Not a lot, I’m sorry to say. But he claims he heard a ghost voice saying something about that mummy’s curse he’s always talking about and how it would eventually destroy him. I don’t know what to make of it. There couldn’t be anyone back there taunting him as everyone else was either on stage or in the auditorium. Except of course Cyril who was resting.’
‘Cyril was asleep when we visited him in the Green Room,’ said Laura.
‘I’m seriously beginning to believe there may be some credibility in this curse,’ said Walter. ‘It has had terrible consequences already with the whole family and we’re all wondering where it might strike next.’
‘I did warn Mark that he should never be on his own in this theatre,’ said Giles. ‘Why on earth did he not take my advice?’
‘I’m sure we all felt that for Mark to be in the doorway, with the rest of us involved in the play nearby, was the safest place to be. I’m sorry we were wrong.’
‘That can’t be helped now.’ said Giles.
At that there was a groan from Mark who opened his eyes. The Fairy Godmother gave him a sip of water and he gave her a feeble smile.
Giles bent over towards him. ‘Feeling better now, Mark? Can you tell us what happened? Take your time. We’ll try to help.’
‘I’m trying to think back,’ said Mark, stumbling over his words. He looked up at the Fairy Godmother and she gave him another sip of water. ‘Thank you. I was behind the door and waiting for the signal from Dicky…’ He took another sip of water. ‘… to let me know the trap door was opened. I never heard the signal. All I heard was a voice from the other side of the closed door as if coming from the dead. It’s that wretched curse Giles.’ Mark’s whole body shook. ‘Where’s it all going to end? Who is next?’
‘Mark, you know you’re always letting your imagination run away with you.’
‘I didn’t imagine it Giles. It was a whisper but clear as day.’
‘What did the voice say?’ asked Giles.
Mark looked up at Giles with terror in his eyes. He faltered before answering. ‘Your time has almost come. The mummy’s curse will avenge all that has gone before.’ I tried to scream but couldn’t. I opened the door but there was no one there. I fell on the floor and couldn’t move. I must have lost consciousness. The next thing I knew was Walter bending over me.’ Mark closed his eyes and started coughing. When he opened his eyes again he stared at all the faces that were looking at him. ‘It was a ghost talking to me,’ he said. ‘The ghost of a mummy from the past. Not one of those friendly ghosts the theatre is proud to have. An evil ghost from ancient Egypt.’ Mark shuddered and his sunken eyes looked terror stricken. ‘Now do you believe in ghosts?’
Chapter 20
WHO’S NEXT ON THE LIST?
‘What did you make of that?’ said Walter as he took Giles to one side. ‘Do you think Mark is hallucinating or can a curse be so powerful that it can have such an effect on a man of his size?’
‘Size has nothing to do with it. In my opinion if he believes everything he was told about a dubious curse that the Egyptian Princess of Amen-Ra put on those who excavated her tomb and all families connected with that event he has undoubtedly lived in fear for much of his life. And remember those tales were told to him when he was in his early teens – a very impressionable age. I think there’s more in this than meets the eye.’
‘What are you talking about, Giles? Was he hallucinating or did he actually hear a ghost? It surely has to be one or the other?’
‘Not necessarily,’ said Giles. ‘I suppose you think I’m talking in riddles again but hallucinations or ghosts are not the only options. I can think of at least one more.’ Giles paused, stroked his chin and cleared his throat. ‘And that option, I’m afraid, is infinitely more frightening than those you mentioned.’
‘What are you talking about? What could be more frightening than hallucinations or ghosts? Did he hear anything? Or are you dreaming as well?’
‘I accept that I’m a bit of a dreamer,’ said Giles. ‘But I’ll answer the last question you put to me. Yes, he did hear what he said he heard. I’ve no doubt about that. And in answer to your earlier questions – what am I talking about and what could be more frightening than hallucinations or ghosts? The answer is alarmingly simple. Mark was spoken to by someone alive… someone alive and in this theatre… someone who wishes to cause dread and gloom and who seems to be having much success in doing so.’
‘Why, for god’s sake?’
‘That I can’t yet say, but if what I’ve told you about that third option is correct we have a serious problem on our hands and we must keep a constant watch on Mark and the other members of your cast. One of them is guilty and though I hate to say it that includes Mark.’
‘You can’t be serious. About Mark I mean.’
‘I hope you’re right but we have to consider all the possibilities – however unlikely they may seem.’
‘I suppose you know what you’re doing,’ said Walter. ‘But I really can’t imagine that Mark could be causing all these unsavoury happenings by himself. He’s had a shock. Just look at him,’ he said, pointing to the giant huddled against the wall.
‘I’m merely pointing out the fact that no one can be discounted at this stage,’ said Giles, ‘and, strange as that may seem, that includes yourself.’
‘Bloody hell, what do you mean by that?’ said Walter, looking aghast with intense anger animating his features.
‘Simmer down Walter or you might end up in the same condition as your co-playwright. We don’t want that. But if I’m going to get to the bottom of what’s happening I must take into account every person who could be involved. I can then narrow the field down to those most likely before I finally come to a conclusion. Does that satisfy you?’
‘It will have to do. You seem to be in the driving seat. So what do we do next?’
‘Crystal clear Walter. Get Mark to the Green Room where he can be with his nephew Cyril. Give him a chance to get back to normal while he’s with someone to keep him company and you can carry on with rehearsals until they can join you again. Time is short and you need every minute of it if you want to complete all you have to do before the theatre is no longer yours.’
‘As soon as he’s able to walk we’ll get Mark to the Green Room,’ said Walter. ‘The rest of us can go over the various scenes without the two invalids but once they’re ready we’ll start a run-through.’
‘I can help with the illu
sions,’ said Giles, ‘and as long as we don’t have any other problems the rehearsals might reach the stage where you’re completely satisfied with your brief stay in this theatre. I just hope my assumption proves to be correct… but I wouldn’t bank on it.’
‘You sound doubtful Giles. For heaven’s sake why would that be?’
‘No smoke without fire. One thing I’ve learned in the last two years is never to take anything for granted. Things are never what they seem.’
‘Riddles again Giles?’
Giles smiled. ‘You could say that I suppose. Let’s just wait and see but with eyes and ears at the ready.’
Walter turned to Dicky. ‘You stay with your uncle until he feels well enough to move. Then escort Mark to the Green Room where he can rest with your brother. Remain with them for a few moments but as soon as Cyril is prepared to start rehearsing again you and your brother can return to the stage. I’ll send the Fairy Godmother to replace you and she can keep Mark company as she is not required for rehearsals.’ Walter raised his voice. ‘Everyone back on stage now. We’ll start again – this time when Grizelda enters from the French windows and Cindy is kneeling on the floor doing the cleaning.’
Walter’s booming voice had an immediate reaction on Mark as he opened his eyes and made an effort to stand up. Dicky helped him to his feet and although unsteady Mark was able to start walking gingerly to the Green Room with the assistance of his nephew.
Walter shook his head in resigned despair. ‘Actors!’ he mumbled. ‘Bloody actors!’
Giles, with a slight movement of his head, signalled to Laura and Freddie that he wanted them to follow him. When they were out of earshot Giles, looking very serious, took his time before speaking.
‘Don’t be too alarmed,’ he said, ‘but I’ve a gut feeling that what happened to Mark a short time ago might somehow lead to something much more serious than believing in ghosts.’
‘Anything we can do?’ said Laura.
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