Delphi Complete Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Illustrated), page 935
(Enter BILLY quickly.)
BILLY: I beg pardon, sir, Mr. Forman’s just sent over from the chemist’s on the corner to say ‘is ‘ead is a-painin’ ‘im a bit, an’ would Dr. Watson —
(WATSON, on hearing his name, turns and looks in direction of BILLY)
— kindly step over and get ‘im something to put on it.
WATSON (moving at once towards door): Yes — certainly — I’ll go at once. (Picking up hat off chair.) That’s singular. (Stands puzzled.) It didn’t look like anything serious. (At door.) I’ll be back in a minute, Holmes. (Goes out.)
(HOLMES says nothing.)
HOLMES: Billy.
BILLY: Yes, sir.
HOLMES: Who brought that message from Forman?
BILLY: Boy from the chemist’s, sir.
HOLMES: Yes, of course, but which boy?
BILLY: Must-a-bin a new one, sir — I ain’t never seen ‘im before.
(Music. Danger. Melodramatic. Very low. Agitato.)
HOLMES: Quick, Billy, run down and look after the doctor. If the boy’s gone and there’s a man with him it means mischief. Let me know, quick. Don’t stop to come up, ring the door bell. I’ll hear it. Ring it loud. Quick now.
BILLY: Yes, sir. (Goes out quickly.)
(HOLMES waits motionless a moment, listening.)
(Music heard very faintly.)
(HOLMES moves quickly towards door. When half-way to the door he stops suddenly, listening; then begins to glide backward toward table, stops and listens — eyes to the front; turns towards door listening. Pipe in left hand — waits — sees pipe in hand — picks up match — lights pipe, listening, and suddenly shouts of warning from BILLY — turns — at the same time picking up revolver from off table and puts in pocket of dressing-gown, with his hand clasping it. HOLMES at once assumes easy attitude, but keeps eyes on door. Enter MORIARTY. He walks in at door very quietly and deliberately. Stops just within doorway, and looks fixedly at HOLMES, then moves forward a little way. His right hand behind his back. As MORIARTY moves forward, HOLMES makes slight motion for the purpose of keeping him covered with revolver in his pocket. MORIARTY, seeing what HOLMES is doing, stops.)
MORIARTY (very quiet low voice): It is a dangerous habit to finger loaded firearms in the pocket of one’s dressing-gown.
HOLMES: You’ll be taken from here to the hospital if you keep that hand behind you.
(After slight pause MORIARTY slowly takes his hand from behind his back and holds it with the other in front of him.)
In that case, the table will do quite as well. (Places his revolver on the table.)
MORIARTY: You evidently don’t know me.
HOLMES (takes pipe out of mouth, holding it. With very slight motion toward revolver): I think it quite evident that I do. Please take a chair, Professor. (Indicating arm-chair.) I can spare five minutes — if you have anything to say.
(Very slight pause — then MORIARTY moves his right hand as if to take something from inside his coat. Stops instantly on HOLMES covering him with revolver, keeping hand exactly where it was stopping.)
What were you about to do?
MORIARTY: Look at my watch.
HOLMES: I’ll tell you when the five minutes is up.
(Slight pause. MORIARTY comes slowly forward. He advances to back of arm-chair. Stands motionless there an instant, his eyes on HOLMES. He then takes off his hat, and stoops slowly, putting it on floor, eyeing HOLMES the while. He then moves down a little to right of chair, by its side. HOLMES now places revolver on table, but before he has quite let go of it, MORIARTY raises his right hand, whereupon HOLMES quietly takes the revolver back and holds it at his side. MORIARTY has stopped with right hand near his throat, seeing HOLMES’ business with revolver. He now slowly pulls away a woolen muffler from his throat and stands again with hands down before him. HOLMES’ forefinger motionless on table. MORIARTY moves a little in front of chair. This movement is only a step or two. As he makes it HOLMES moves simultaneously on the other side of the table so that he keeps the revolver between them on the table. That is the object of this business.)
MORIARTY: All that I have to say has already crossed your mind.
HOLMES: My answer thereto has already crossed yours.
MORIARTY: It is your intention to pursue this case against me?
HOLMES: That is my intention to the very end.
MORIARTY: I regret this — not so much on my own account — but on yours.
HOLMES: I share your regrets, Professor, but solely because of the rather uncomfortable position it will cause you to occupy.
MORIARTY: May I inquire to what position you are pleased to allude, Mr. Holmes?
(HOLMES motions a man being hanged with his left hand — slight Pause. A tremor of passion. MORIARTY slowly advances towards HOLMES. He stops instantly as HOLMES’ hand goes to his revolver, having only approached him a step or two.)
And have you the faintest idea that you would be permitted to live to see the day?
HOLMES: As to that, I do not particularly care, so that I might bring you to see it.
(MORIARTY makes a sudden impulsive start towards HOLMES, but stops on being covered with revolver. He has now come close to the table on the other side of HOLMES. This tableau is held briefly.)
MORIARTY (passionately but in a low tone): You will never bring me to see it. You will find — (He stops, recollecting himself as HOLMES looks at him — changes to quieter tone.) Ah! you are a bold man Mr. Holmes to insinuate such a thing to my face — (turning towards front) — but it is the boldness born of ignorance. (Turning still further away from HOLMES in order to get his back to him and after doing so suddenly raising his right hand to breast he is again stopped with hand close to pocket by hearing the noise of HOLMES’S revolver behind him. He holds that position for a moment then passes the matter off by feeling muffler as if adjusting it. He mutters to himself)
You’ll never bring me to see it, you’ll never bring me to see it (Then begins to move in front of table still keeping his back towards HOLMES. Business as he moves forward of stopping suddenly on hearing the noise of revolver sliding along table then when in front of table slowly turns so that he brings his hands into view of HOLMES then a slight salute with hand and bow and back slowly with dignity into chair)
(Business of HOLMES seating himself on stool opposite MORIARTY, revolver business and coming motionless)
(After HOLMES’S business.) I tell you it is the boldness born of ignorance. Do you think that I would be here if I had not made the streets quite safe in every respect?
HOLMES (shaking head): Oh no! I could never so grossly overestimate your courage as that.
MORIARTY: Do you imagine that your friend the doctor, and your man Forman will soon return?
HOLMES: Possibly not.
MORIARTY: So it leaves us quite alone — doesn’t it, Mr. Holmes — quite alone — so that we can talk the matter over quietly and not be disturbed. In the first place I wish to call your attention to a few memoranda which I have jotted down — (suddenly put both hands to breast pocket) — which you will find —
HOLMES: Look out! Take your hands away.
(Music: Danger pp)
(MORIARTY again stopped with his hands at breast pocket )
Get your hands down.
(MORIARTY does not lower his hands at first request.)
A little further away from the memorandum book you are talking about.
MORIARTY (lowers hands to his lap. Slight pause, raising hands again slowly as he speaks): Why, I was merely about to —
HOLMES: Well, merely don’t do it.
MORIARTY (remonstratingly — his hands still up near breast): But I would like to show you a —
HOLMES: I don’t want to see it.
MORIARTY: But if you will allow me —
HOLMES: I don’t care for it at all. I don’t require any notebooks. If you want it so badly we’ll have someone get it for you.
(MORIARTY slowly lowers hands again.)
(Rings bell on table with left hand.) I always like to save my guests unnecessary trouble.
MORIARTY (after quite a pause): I observe that your boy does not answer the bell.
HOLMES: No. But I have an idea that he will before long.
MORIARTY (leaning towards HOLMES and speaking with subdued rage and significance): It may possibly be longer than you think, Mr. Holmes.
HOLMES (intensely): What! That boy!
MORIARTY (hissing at HOLMES): Yes, your boy.
(Hold the tableau for a moment, the two men scowling at each other. HOLMES slowly reaching left hand out to ring bell again. MORIARTY begins to raise right hand slowly towards breast pocket, keeping it concealed beneath his muffler as far as possible. On slight motion of HOLMES’ left hand, he lowers it again, giving up the attempt this time.)
HOLMES: At least we will try the bell once more, Professor. (Rings bell.)
(Short wait.)
MORIARTY (after pause): Doesn’t it occur to you that he may Possibly have been detained, Mr. Holmes?
HOLMES: It does. But I also observe that you are in very much the same predicament. (Pause.)
(HOLMES rings bell for the third time. Noise on stairway outside. Enter BILLY with part of his coat, and with sleeves of shirt and waistcoat badly torn)
(Music stops)
BILLY (up near door): I beg pardon, sir — someone tried to ‘old me sir! (Panting for breath)
HOLMES: It is quite evident however that he failed to do so.
BILLY: Yes sir—’e’s got my coat sir but ‘e ‘asn’t got me!
HOLMES: Billy!
BILLY (cheerfully): Yes sir (Still out of breath)
HOLMES: The gentleman I am pointing out to you with this six-shooter desires to have us get something out of his left hand coat pocket.
(MORIARTY gives a very slight start or movement of right hand to breast pocket, getting it almost to his pocket, then recollecting himself, seeing that HOLMES has got him covered)
Ah, I thought so. Left-hand coat pocket. As he is not feeling quite himself to-day, and the exertion might prove injurious, suppose you attend to it.
BILLY: Yes sir (He goes quickly to MORIARTY puts hand in his pocket and draws out a bull dog revolver) Is this it sir?
HOLMES: It has the general outline of being it. Quite so. Put it on the table.
(MORIARTY makes a grab for it)
Not there Billy. Look out. Push it a little further this way.
(BILLY does so placing it so that it is within easy reach of HOLMES.)
HOLMES: That’s more like it.
BILLY: Shall I see if he’s got another sir?
HOLMES: Why, Billy, you surprise me, after the gentleman has taken the trouble to inform you that he hasn’t.
BILLY: When sir?
HOLMES: When he made a snatch for this one. Now that we have your little memorandum book, Professor, do you think of anything else you’d like before Billy goes?
(MORIARTY does not reply.)
Any little thing that you’ve got, that you want? No! Ah, I am sorry that’s all, Billy.
(pause. MORIARTY motionless, eyes on HOLMES. HOLMES puts his own revolver in his pocket quietly. MORIARTY remains motionless, his eyes on HOLMES, waiting for a chance.)
BILLY: Thank you, sir. (Goes out.)
(HOLMES carelessly picks up MORIARTY’S weapon, turns it over in his hands a little below table for a moment, then tosses it back on table again — during which business MORIARTY looks front savagely.)
HOLMES (tapping revolver with pipe): Rather a rash project of yours Moriarty — even though you have made the street quite safe in every respect — to make use of that thing — so early in the evening and in this part of the town.
MORIARTY: Listen to me. On the 4th of January you crossed my path — on the 23rd you incommoded me. And now, at the close of April, I find myself placed in such a position through your continual interference that I am in positive danger of losing my liberty.
HOLMES: Have you any suggestion to make?
MORIARTY (head swaying from side to side): No! (Pause and look fiercely at HOLMES.) I have no suggestion to make. I have a fact to state. If you do not drop it at once your life is not worth that. (Snap of finger.)
HOLMES: I shall be pleased to drop it — at ten o’clock to-morrow night.
MORIARTY: Why then?
HOLMES: Because at that hour, Moriarty … your life will not be worth that, (A snap of finger.) You will be under arrest.
MORIARTY: At that hour, Sherlock Holmes, your eyes will be closed in death.
(Both look at one another motionless an instant.)
HOLMES (rising as if rather bored): I am afraid, Professor, that in the pleasure of this conversation I am neglecting more important business. (Turns away to mantel and business of looking for match, etc.)
(MORIARTY rises slowly, picks up hat, keeping his eyes on HOLMES. Suddenly catches sight of revolver on table — pause — and putting hat on table.)
MORIARTY (nearing HOLMES and looking towards door): I came here this evening to see if peace could not be arranged between us.
HOLMES: Ah yes (Smiling pleasantly and pressing tobacco in pipe.) I saw that. That’s rather good.
MORIARTY (passionately): You have seen fit not only to reject my proposals, but to make insulting references coupled with threats of arrest.
HOLMES: Quite so! Quite so! (Lights match and holds it to pipe)
MORIARTY (moving a little so as to be nearer table): Well (slyly picking up revolver) — you have been warned of your danger — you do not heed that warning — perhaps you will heed this!
(Making a sudden plunge and aiming at HOLMES’ head rapidly snaps the revolver in quick attempt to fire)
(HOLMES turns quietly toward him still holding match to pipe so that the last snap of hammer is directly in his face. Very slight pause on MORIARTY being unable to fire — and back up at same time boiling with rage.)
HOLMES: Oh! ha! — here! (As if recollecting something. Tosses away match and feeling quickly in left pocket of dressing gown brings out some cartridges and tosses them carelessly on table towards MORIARTY.) I didn’t suppose you’d want to use that thing again, so I took all your cartridges out and put them in my pocket. You’ll find them all there, Professor. (Reaches over and rings bell on table with right hand.)
(Enter BILLY)
Billy!
BILLY: Yes, sir!
HOLMES: Show this gentleman nicely to the door.
BILLY: Yes sir! This way sir! (Standing within door)
(PROFESSOR MORIARTY looks at HOLMES a moment, then flings revolver down and across the table, clenches fist in HOLMES’ face, turns boiling with rage, picks hat up, and exits quickly at door, muttering aloud as he goes.)
HOLMES (after exit of MORIARTY): Billy! Come here!
BILLY: Yes, sir! (BILLY comes quickly down.)
HOLMES: Billy! You’re a good boy!
BILLY: Yes, sir! Thank you, sir! (Stands grinning up at HOLMES.)
(The lights go out suddenly.)
(No music at end of this Act.)
CURTAIN
ACT III
The Stepney Gas Chamber. Midnight.
SCENE. — The Gas Chamber at Stepney. A large, dark, grimy room on an upper floor of an old building backing on wharves etc. Plaster cracking off, masonry piers or chimney showing. As uncanny and gruesome appearance as possible. Heavy beams and timbers showing. Door leads to the landing and then to the entrance. Another door leads to a small cupboard. The walls of the cupboard can be seen when the door is opened. Large window, closed. Grimy and dirty glass so nothing can be seen through it. The window is nailed with spike nails securely shut. Black backing — no light behind. Strong bars outside back of windows, to show when window is broken. These bars must not be seen through the glass. Trash all over the room. The only light in the room on the rise of the curtain is from a dim lantern — carried on by McTAGUE.
Characteristic Music for Curtain.
CRAIGIN and LEARY are discovered. CRAIGIN is sitting on a box. He sits glum and motionless, waiting. LEARY is sitting on table his feet on the chair in front of it.
McTAGUE enters with safety lamp. He stops just within a moment, glancing around in the dimness. Soon moves up near a masonry pier, a little above the door, and leans against it, waiting. CRAIGIN, LEARY and McTAGUE are dressed in dark clothes and wear felt -soled shoes.
