The same room. The following evening about 9 o’clock. Curtains drawn. (Simmons opens curtains and looks in stealthily. Seeing no one he comes in – but hearing footsteps goes out and closes window, leaving curtains a little open.)
(Enter Chung followed by Ambrose.)
Chung. All at dinner. You wait here.
Amb. Please ask Lord Castlemore if he will see me privately.
Chung. Still eating – and drinking.
Amb. Say that my business is urgent.
Chung. Eh?
Amb. (Scribbling on visiting card.) Give him that.
Chung. Give it to the Lord?
Amb. To Lord Castlemore.
Chung. To the Lord. All right. (Exit Chung.)
(Amb. walks about in great state of tension. Then enter Castlemore.)
Castle. Well, sir? What can I do for you?
Amb. Thank you for giving me this interview, Lord Castlemore.
Castle. You say your business is urgent.
Amb. Yes. I watched your tests of my invention this morning. They were horrible.
Castle. Horrible?
Amb. Yes, when I saw that house collapse half a mile from where the explosion took place, it made me shudder. I thought of a tube of that mixture being dropped in a defenceless town: I heard the shrieks of women, the groans of dying men, the pitiful sobbing of little mangled children.
Castle. (Sympathetically) War is war, Father Ambrose. The most merciful thing when war breaks out is to have the most deadly weapons – to strike terror into the heart of the enemy – to shorten the war by the devastating nature of the attack.
Amb. War is the negation of Christ’s teaching of Love.
Castle. No doubt. No doubt. But surely war against Bolshevism is necessary for the salvation of the world.
Amb. I thought so once. I still think so, but not with the kind of weapons that you mean. The campaign against Bolshevism can only be successful if it is conducted with mercy and love. If we Christians are to win, we must not massacre the innocent millions of Russia and China. We must start afresh to bring them back into the Kingdom of God.
Castle. All the same, you must admit that the surest way to prevent war is to be better armed than your enemies. If the Bolshevists know that we possess an explosive of terrific power, they will hesitate to attack us.
Amb. Nothing will prevent a maddened and deluded people from rushing to destruction. If it is known that you have adopted my invention, the only result will be more suspicion – more hatred. They will believe that Great Britain is intending to attack the Soviet League, and they will hate without reason.
Castle. Then you would advocate a policy of shutting one’s eyes to danger – pretending that we are secure – and being unprepared when the enemy attacks us.
Amb. No, Lord Castlemore. I can only see one cure for the present state of the world. We Christians must combine against Bolshevism by proving ourselves to be followers of Christ. If thousands of Christian people would give up everything to go and live among the poor people of Russia and China, sharing their lives and patiently winning them to believe in the love of God, we should undermine the perverted teaching of the Bolshevist leaders and the world would be saved because Bolshevism would have no disciples. You will call me a visionary –
Castle. I am afraid your ideals are impossible.
Amb. Lord Castlemore, those who have done most for the world are the men and women who have believed that nothing is impossible.
Castle. Forgive me if I recall you to the matter in hand – the explosive. I am discussing the question this evening with the Prime Minister: I can make no official promises one way or the other until I have seen him. But this much I will say – my own sympathies, as a man, are on your side. As Minister for War I may not allow my human sympathies to interfere with my duty to my country.
Amb. Thank you for listening to me so patiently. Goodnight, Lord Castlemore. Thank you. (Exit Ambrose.)
(Castlemore left alone lights a cigar slowly and thoughtfully. Then enter Lady H., Nancy, Breit., Giraud, Higg., Denison and Hilary.)
Breit. Well, Lady Hilary, that excellent dinner is a fitting conclusion to a most interesting day.
Den. I am bound to say, I should have been in a state of horrid funk for he last month, if I had known what I was making.
Giraud. I will never be a sceptic again. That explosion cost me too much.
Higg. As the Scotsman said: “Bang went sixpence.” (All laugh.)
Hil. Yes, the inventor’s claims were fully justified.
Higg. And each one of those charges was only 10 grains?
Hil. That’s all.
Breit. It is kolossal.
Giraud. It makes me shudder to think of the effect of dropping a pound into the middle of a populous city.
Lady H. Don’t M. Giraud. It’s too horrible.
Breit. But the power of it! Wonderful!
Castle. I am almost inclined to agree with you.
Higg. A War Minister ought not to express sentiments like that.
Castle. Even a War minister may have human sympathies.
Hil. We’re all getting too serious. Who’s for a game of pool?
Giraud. I’ll come and see if I can win back some of that £100.
Breit. I am not an expert with the ball games: I have tried – once to play at foot ball, but with small success. I was ordered to stand before a net between the goalstakes whilst some players younger than I aimed a ball for various parts of my body. It was a disagreeable sport. But for the billiard, it is not the dangerous game.
Castle. Come on, Baron. You and I will take on the diplomatists.
(Exeunt Castle., Breit., Giraud and Hil.)
Nancy. It’s awfully good of you, Lady Hilary, to ask me to stay over tonight. It’s been the most thrilling day I’ve ever spent.
Lady H. I’m so glad.
Nancy. Of course I didn’t actual see the tests, but Mr. Denison drove me over to the place this afternoon: I shouldn’t have thought it possible that such a small quantity of explosive could have done so much damage. The house half a mile off was completely demolished.
Lady H. I’m sorry about that telegram last night going astray.
Nancy. (Awkwardly.) Yes, it was very odd.
Lady H. I hope your Mother would not have been anxious.
Nancy. Well, she’ll have got my letter this morning.
Lady H. When the telegram was returned I told the Post Office to repeat it, but the second wire was returned just like the first.
Nancy. How very careless.
Higg. Ah. We do these things better in the States. Lady Hilary, you said you would show me the family portraits: do you feel inclined to go up now?
Lady H. The light won’t be very good. You ought to see them in the morning.
Higg. I’m afraid I must get away soon after breakfast. I have several things to do in little old London
Lady H. Very well, let us go up now.
Higg. It’s not too much trouble? Perhaps you’re tired?
Lady H. Not in the least, thanks. (Exeunt Lady H. and Higg.)
Nancy. You must be a proud man today, Mr. Denison.
Den. Rather a gloomy one, Miss Wake. I am rather appalled at the thing I have been instrumental in producing.
Nancy. But as the inventor, you must feel proud –
Den. Good heavens, I’m not the inventor.
Nancy. Oh, I thought you were.
Den. I only followed instructions blindly – quite blindly, because I didn’t know even what I was making. If I had, I’m not sure I would have taken on the job.
(Chung enters with coffee on tray and hands to Nancy.) The whole tests were appalling. I wish I had never seen it.
(Chung hands coffee to Denison and neatly slips a black bag over his head. Nancy takes tray and puts it down. Denison struggles for a moment, then his limbs relax. Nancy to window, and signals.)
Chung. He’s quite comfortable now. (Enter Radi by window.)
Radi. No time to lose. We must get him to my car.
Nancy. You know he’s not the inventor?
Radi. So I’ve discovered. But he knows all about it. If he cannot remember I shall stimulate his memory.
Chung. You are taking him to your own house?
Radi. Yes. Kanikoff will be there later. You have all your instructions? Lift him up.
(Radi. and Chung carry Denison off through window. Nancy closes curtains. Enter Simmons.)
Nancy. (Startled.) What do you want?
Simmons. Beg pardon, Miss. Mr. Higginson told me to put through a call for him.
Nancy. Oh, very well. There’s the telephone.
Simmons. Thank you, Miss. Beg pardon, I’m sure, Miss, but it’s rather a private call.
Nancy. I see. Very well. (Exit Nancy.)
Simmons. Regent 0024. Is that Regent 0024? QV speaking. Is that Peter? I want you to send down forty men to Kent. 20 to watch Sir George Hilary’s house, Gretington Manor, near Sevenoaks, 20 more to be ready at Count Radivloski’s house, The Red House, 5 miles from Hilary’s on the Canterbury road – standing back among limes. Is that all right? Let them start at once. Is Stein there yet? Good. Tell him to come with the men. If he doesn’t find me here let him go on to Radivloski’s house for information. Right. Goodbye.
(Simmons is making for the door when enter Higg.)
Higg. What in the world are you doing here?
Simmons. You told me to come in for orders, Sir.
Higg. Quite. But you should have waited in the Hall.
Simmons. I’m sorry, Sir.
Higg. Look here, Simmons. I may want the car at any moment. Don’t go to bed, and if I ring that buzzer, hustle the old bus round at once to the side door.
Simmons. Very good, sir. Is that all, sir?
Higg. Yes, that’s all.
(Exit Simmons by window. Higg. Watches him through curtain. Nancy looks round door.)
Nancy. Is the rather private call finished?
Higg. What do you mean?
Nancy. Your chauffeur has just been using the telephone. He said you’d told him to put through a rather private call.
Higg. Did he? (Calls.) Simmons! Simmons! – What infernal impudence. I never told him to call up anyone. Excuse me, Miss Wake. I’d better see the fellow alone. I shall want to abuse him some.
Nancy. I’ll go and see how the pool’s going.
(Exit Nancy. Enter Simmons.)
Higg. Now, Simmons, what’s the game?
Simmons. I beg pardon, Sir?
Higg. What’s the game?
Simmons. I don’t understand, Sir?
Higg. What have you been using the telephone for?
Simmons. Well sir, I hope you’ll forgive me, Sir, but I had a little money on the Cambridgeshire and I wanted to know what won.
Higg. That’s a damned lie.
Simmons. No, sir, it’s Gospel truth, sir. I know I oughtn’t –
Higg. What horse won?
Simmons. Not the horse I backed, sir.
Higg. What horse won?
Simmons. Black Prince, sir.
Higg. It was infernal impudence of you to come into the house and use the telephone.
Simmons. Very sorry, Sir, I’m sure.
Higg. That’s all. You can go.
Simmons. I hope –
Higg. You can go.
(Exit Simmons by window. Higg. thinking.)
(Enter Lady H., Nancy, Castle, Breit, Giraud and Hil.)
Hil. Well, Baron, you defeated us properly.
Breit. Ach – but I did not contribute much except a few flukes; it was Lord Castlemore who pulled through me. His playing was wonderful. Kolossal. But you English are a nation of sporters.
(Enter Chung, with evening papers.)
Chung. Papers. (Exit Chung.)
Higg. Say, what won the Cambridgeshire?
Giraud. Black Prince. There goes another £50. It’s an unlucky day for me.
Breit. Is there any news of Russia?
Giraud. (Giving paper.) Here you are: I’ve seen enough news for tonight.
Lady H. There was a very interesting article in the “Morning Express today about Kanikoff. Did any of you read it?
Higg. Sure, I did. Seemed to me rather piffle. Kanikoff – the man of Mystery. He’s just an ordinary ‘cute guy who knows which side his bread’s buttered.
Castle. You said yesterday you had met Kanikoff.
Higg. Sure, I did meet him once.
Nancy. How exciting! I thought nobody ever saw him.
Higg. A great many more people have seen Kanikoff than think they have. He’s just an ordinary cuss with the sort of face nobody notices much or remembers. Consequently he can disguise himself without disguising himself – just pass himself off as somebody else. I dare say you’ve all met Kanikoff – thinking that you were talking to a Spanish professor or an American millionaire. He’s just there, and you don’t know he’s there.
Lady H. Kanikoff would give something to know about our explosive.
Higg. Quite so Lady Hilary. I shouldn’t be a wee mite surprised if he does know about it. It would be like Kanikoff to come to a little house party like this.
Giraud. You mean that one of us may be Kanikoff?
Higg. I was only talking imaginatively. But it would be the kind of thing old man Kanikoff would enjoy.
Nancy. It makes me feel quite creepy.
Giraud. You are the only person who claims to have seen him. What was he like?
Higg. A biggish man – tending to stoutness – fair hair, going a little thin on top.
Breit. (Who has been reading the evening paper.) Lieber Himmel!
(There is a sudden pause – of embarrassment or panic. They all look at Breit. He is looking at Higg. Breit recovers first.)
Breit. I must apologise, Lady Hilary. I am afraid I have interrupted the conversation. It was only that I read in the paper that some poor girls had been burnt to death in a factory fire. You were talking of Kanikoff, I think. An interesting personality, doubtless, but for myself I do not believe all the stories I hear about him.
Castle. One thing is certain, if Kanikoff could be wiped out, the Bolshevist League would collapse. There is no one else who can keep Russia and China together.
Breit. You pay Kanikoff a great compliment.
Higg. What Lord Castlemore says is true all the same.
Breit. Well, Lady Hilary if you will excuse me, I must be going. I am sorry not to be able to accept your kind invitation to stay for tonight also. But I have business in London early tomorrow. Thank you for a most pleasant and interesting visit. Goodnight.
Hil. I’ll send a message to the garage for your car.
Breit. Thank you so much. (Exit Breit. with Hil.)
(There is an atmosphere of relief as Breit goes out.)
Hil. Yes, I wonder what upset old man Breitwald? Not the fate of the factory girls, I guess.
Giraud. It was your description of Kanikoff. It seemed to fit him rather accurately.
Higg. Yes, but as far as that goes, it might have fitted me.
Lady H. Now, Mr. Higginson, you are trying to give us all an attack of nerves.
Nancy. We ought to cut a pack of cards and the one who draws the ace of spades is Kanikoff – and is sent to the gallows.
Higg. Things may be more serious that you imagine, Miss Wake.
(Enter Chung.)
Chung. Car come – for the Lord.
Castle. That’s the FitzHerbert’s car – the Prime Minister is staying with them. I must be off: Hilary, I’ll let you know our decision about the explosive tomorrow morning.
Lady H. I did not know you were staying in the neighbourhood.
Castle. Yes, only about seven miles away. I shall be returning to Town tomorrow. Goodbye Lady Hilary, thank you for a very pleasant visit.
Lady H. Goodbye. (Exeunt Castle. with Hil. and Chung.)
Giraud. I ought to be getting away too: I have to motor to London. Thank you, Lady Hilary: I shall return to France a poorer but a wiser man,
Lady H. It has been very nice to see you again. Goodbye.
(Giraud bows to others and exit.)
Higg. I feel an interloper, Lady Hilary, staying on for another night, when all your other guests have gone.
Nancy. Not all, Mr. Higginson. I am an uninvited interloper.
Higg. Sure thing. But I’m sure you’d be welcome anywhere, Miss Wake.
Nancy. Thank you, Mr. Higginson.
Lady H. Would you care for a rubber of bridge before we go to bed, Mr. Higginson.
Higg. Sure, I should enjoy it; that is, if you’re not too tired.
Lady H. Not a bit, thanks. My husband will love a game. Do you play, Miss Wake?
Nancy. I’m afraid I don’t. But if you don’t mind, I’ll go off to bed soon.
Lady H. Then we must get Mr. Denison. By the way, where is he? Now I come to think of it, I’ve not seen him since just after dinner.
(Enter Hilary.)
Hil. Well, here we are, left to the tender mercies of the self-confessed Kanikoff.
Higg. Bar joking, Sir George. I don’t want to alarm the ladies one little bit – but I believe you are in pretty serious danger. There are Bolshevist spies everywhere – and you may be sure they know all about this bang-stuff of yours. We advertised it fairly noisily this morning. Kanikoff would give his soul for the formulae for making it.
Hil. You are exaggerating the danger.
Higg. No, I’m not. I don’t say Kanikoff himself has been in your house today – he might have been – we don’t know. But if you’ll take my tip, you’ll trust no one. What do you know about Chung-Hi? He may be one of Kanikoff’s spies. Or there’s my chauffeur: I know nothing about him, except he looked an honest guy: but this evening I found him using your telephone: who was he ringing up? For all we know he may have been sending for reinforcements from some Bolshevist agency. Then there’s the scientist fellow, Denison.
Hil. Denison’s all right
Higg. I’m glad you’re sure of him. By the way, where is Denison?
Hil. I don’t know: probably in the lab. (Walks to lab. door.) He’s generally to be found there. (Opens door and exit. Returns.) No, he’s not there. Now I think of it, I’ve not seen him since dinner.
Higg. Then we’d better find out where he is. (Hil. rings.) Who saw him last?
Nancy. He was talking to me in here after dinner. Then he left me – rather suddenly – and went out into the garden.
Higg. In the garden? That’s queer.
Hil. Why queer?
Higg. Well isn’t it queer to go for a stroll in the garden on a cold November night? (Enter Chung.)
Hil. Chung-Hi, have you seen Mr. Denison?
Chung. Yes, Chung-Hi seen him.
Hil. Where? Chung. After dinner. Chung-Hi see him in garden.
Hil. When did he come in?
Chung. Chung-Hi not see him come in.
Lady H. He may have gone up to bed.
Chung. Chung-Hi see?
Hil. Yes. (Exit Chung.)
Nancy. This is getting quite exciting.
Higg. Miss Wake, I’m afraid you may have a little too much excitement before the night’s done.
Lady H. I wonder – no.
Hil. What?
Lady H. I wonder if Mr. Denison [went] away with Baron von Breitwald.
Hil. My dear Grace, do try to keep a cool head.
Higg. All the same, isn’t it possible?
Hil. You mean –?
Higg. I mean that you don’t know who are your friends and who are your enemies. I am certain the Bolshies are after your papers. Have you still got them safe?
Hil. Yes.
Higg. You’re clean sure?
Hil. Certain.
Higg. Very good. Then we know where we are. (Chung enters.)
Hil. Well?
Chung. Mr. Denison not in bed. Chung-Hi look – door wide open – so. (opens his mouth.)
Higg. Well, that’s that.
Hil. We’d better look for him. (Goes to window.)
Lady H. George, don’t go into the garden alone.
Hil. My dear Grace, why?
Lady H. I don’t know, I’m afraid.
Higg. I’ll come with you. But we shan’t find Denison.
(Exit Hil and Higg by window.)
Nancy. I’ll make a tour of the ground floor.
(Exit Nancy. Lady Hil. _remains sitting, twisting her fingers in agitation. Enter Chung.)
Chung. Man to see you, M’lady.
Lady H. What sort of a man?
Chung. Man here today, M’lady. Talked to the Lord.
Lady H. Very well.
(Exit Chung and re-enter with Ambrose. Chung hides as Ambrose comes forward.)
Amb. Lady Hilary, your husband is in great danger.
Lady H. What danger? How do you know?
Amb. I do not know the nature of his danger. But I know that he is in peril, and that is not all. The papers I gave him – the instructions for making the explosive – the Bolshevist agents are after them.
Lady H. What reason have you for saying this?
Amb. I feel it – I know it. I had returned to the inn, but I could not rest. Suddenly there came to me the knowledge – the certainty – that there was ghastly peril threatening the world: then it took shape. The Bolshevists are trying to steal the papers.
Lady H. You have the thing on your nerves. It is your own imagination.
Amb. Lady Hilary, it is the warning of God, (Slight pause.) And think what it means. If this hideous invention of mine is too terrible to be used by a responsible and Christian country like yours – what would it be in the hands of an unscrupulous man like Kanikoff? His creed is destruction. Can you picture the world in ruins? That is what it means if those papers fall into Bolshevist hands.
Lady H. But what is to be done?
Amb. Persuade your husband to burn the papers and destroy the explosive. It is the only safe course.
Lady H. I will beg him to.
Amb. One word of warning: only mention the papers when you are alone with Sir George. Trust no one, not even your dearest friends. I will come back for further news in the morning. I pray that the papers will be destroyed. Your husband must be made to realise the risk of delay. Goodnight.
(Exit Ambrose.)
(Enter Nancy.)
Nancy. I’ve been all over the ground floor – but no signs of Mr. Denison.
Lady H. We’d better try upstairs. But I’ve rather given up hope. (Exeunt Lady H. and Nancy. Lights off.)
(Enter Hilary at window. Turns up reading lamp and then goes into Lab. Chung [hiding]. Hil. returns with tin of powder, takes flowers out of bowl and is going to empty powder into water. Meanwhile Chung has crept up behind him with a knife and is about to stab him when Higg. who has entered quietly, turns up lights, covering Chung with revolver.)
Higg. Drop that knife. (Chung does so.) What did I say, Sir George. I’ve had half an eye on this little Chink. Stewart P. Higginson keeps his eyes skinned. You don’t catch me napping, Chink son. Well, Sir George, we’d better tie up this John Chinaman guy. Leave that to me while you ‘phone for the police. First cut down that bellrope, will you and hand it to me. There’s a knife handy on the floor.
(Hil cuts rope C. standing on chair.) Thanks. (While Higg ties Chung’s hands and feet, Hil. takes off receiver.)
Hil. Hullo! Hullo! Exchange. Why, what’s wrong with the thing? Hullo (Taps receiver holder: it is dud.) Higginson, the telephone’s out of order.
Higg. What? Gosh. That’s very serious. Wait a minute, till – I’ve got this crook secure.
(Hil. goes just outside window.)
Hil. The line’s cut just outside the window.
Higg. Say, they’re doing the thing thoroughly. We’ve not got a minute to lose. Touch that buzzer, will you? (Hil. does so.) (Enter Lady Hil.)
Lady H. Mr. Denison’s not in the house. What? (She stops on seeing Chung.)
Higg. An attempt has just been made on your husband’s life. Your telephone’s cut, and when I was in the garden I saw two or three guys creeping about behind the bushes. Not only are your lives in danger, but if these Bolshies do us in, there is a serious risk of the papers and explosive material falling into their hands, There’s only one thing to do: we must quit, mighty quick and try to rush them, before they are ready. If we can get clear of your drive we are probably safe: my Daimler will be at the side door in half a tick, and she’s some hustler. Go and fetch Miss Wake, Lady Hilary, and put on some wraps.
(Exit Lady H.)
(Breit. looks cautiously in at the window. Hil. takes tin and is just going to pour contents into water.)
Higg. What are you going to do with that stuff? It is wiser to destroy it. (Pours into water.)
Higg. As you like. You’ve got the papers safe?
Hil. Yes, they’re all right. (Breit disappears.)
Higg. We must take the Chink with us. Can’t risk his giving information.
Hil. Where are you taking us
Higg. I have some friends a few miles away. We shall be safe with them for tonight. Tomorrow you’d better lodge the papers with your bank.
Hil. I may be handing them to the War Office.
(Enter Lady H. and Nancy.)
Nancy. Where are we going?
Higg. Out of this Bolshie-rid area, Miss Wake.
(Enter Simmons through lab. door.)
Simmons. The car’s here – at the side door, sir.
Higg. Right. Take this Chink guy’s shoulders, Simmons. You take his feet, Sir George. Now the ladies. I’ll bring up the rear with my gun. We’ll leave the lights on.
(Exeunt omnes.)
(Enter very cautiously at window, Breitwald. He looks about and sees the room empty – examines door into hall – also explosive in water – goes to door into lab. and calls softly.)
Breit. Hilary! (Pause.) Hilary! (He looks undecided for a minute and picks up telephone receiver. Finds it dud.) Verflucht. (Enter Ambrose quickly at window. Breit turns round startled.) Was ist’s.
Amb. Baron von Breitwald!
Breit. Quite so. What do you want?
Amb. I have been watching the house. They’ve gone.
Breit. Gone? Who have gone?
Amb. The Hilarys. Then they have suspected. (Half to himself.) Come, we must find the American.
Amb. Higginson’s with them.
Breit. What?
Amb. They’ve gone in his car.
Breit. Du lieber Himmel. There is not a minute to lose: my car is at the door. We must overcatch them.
(Exeunt hastily at window.)