Prince Boris’ Country House. French window R.C. Doors L. and R. A sideboard cupboard down R. Tables and chairs ad lib.
(Ivan enters: he is a man of about 50, grey haired and strong, a fine type of Russian ex-soldier. Heavy grey moustache. He looks round quickly as he hears a tap at the window; he opens it cautiously admitting a man in a fur cap. The latter is a lean man with tanned face and dark unkempt beard; he has the air of a peasant in comfortable circumstances.)
Fur. The peasants are all round the house. Where’s your Master?
Ivan. In the next room. What do you want with him?
Fur. The attack is timed for 8 o’clock tonight. Let us persuade the Prince and Princess to make a dash for liberty at once.
Ivan. (With fatalistic emphasis.) It will make no difference. They are doomed. It is the pleasure of the people.
Fur. My friends will be waiting a quarter of a mile away. We will take charge of them.
Ivan. You are right. It is better so. Count on my help.
(Enter Prince Boris. He is a tall young man with a closely clipped black moustache, good looking but his face is thin and drawn. He is in a state of extreme nervous tension – always glancing round and twitching.)
Boris. Who is this man? What do you want?
Fur. I am your friend, excellency. I am here to help you.
Boris. Ivan, I told you that no one was to be admitted. Why is this man here?
Ivan. Pardon, Excellency. I took it on myself to disobey orders – for your own sake.
Boris. You should not have done so. What do you want?
Fur. Excellency, save yourself. The villagers are all round your house.
Boris. Don’t I know it? For weeks they have been watching – waiting – waiting – in silence with hungry wolfish eyes. I can’t walk into my park without seeing a stealthy form sliding behind a bush. I can’t look out of the window without seeing the hungry eyes turned up at me. Why don’t they curse me? Why don’t they shoot me? It’s the silence that’s so awful. They just wait and wait. What are they waiting for?
Fur. They obey their orders, excellency. When the time is ripe they will strike.
Boris. Let them strike soon! This silent waiting is intolerable. I can face a danger that I know and see. The suspense will drive me mad.
Fur. Trust your friends, excellency.
Boris. Who are they? Who can I trust? How can I know them when I see them? I have no friends.
Ivan. Excellency, here you are in danger. The people do not spare. But you have many friends, if you can reach them. This man is known to me. He will escort you.
Boris. I’ll think about it. Return tomorrow at noon.
Fur. Tomorrow will be too late.
Boris. Too late?
Fur. There will be no tomorrow, Excellency, unless you escape at once. The people have sworn to have your blood tonight.
Boris. So – the waiting is at an end.
Fur. You have heard how the Tsar died? (Boris shivers.) This is what your people arc waiting for. (Boris is silent.) The people show no haste; they think they have you at their mercy when the hour strikes.
Boris. I do not fear death – better a thousand times to die than this terror of waiting.
Fur. And the Princess – your sister? Would you let her fall alive into the hands of the mob? They have been known to torture women.
Ivan. Excellency, trust your friends. This man can save you and her.
Boris. What are your plans?
Fur. Meet me outside this window. I will let you know when it is safe. I have friends outside who will protect you. We will carry you to Moscow or Petrograd – or where you will.
Boris. I will speak to my sister. Come back in twenty minutes.
Fur. I will. Be wise, Excellency. It is your only hope of safety. It is death, if you do not escape within the hour.
(Exit Fur by window.)
Boris. (Going to door.) Lezinka!
(He walks over to window and looks cut.)
Ivan. Do not show yourself, Excellency. One does not know who is watching.
Boris. (to himself.) Wolves. The hungry eyes of wolves. Wolves waiting for their prey.
(Enter Lezinka.)
Lez. What is it, Boris?
Boris. (To himself.) Death. I faced death many times in the War. but this waiting!
Lez. You called me.
Ivan. (To Lezinka.) Excellency – the people will attack the house this evening.
Lez. You know that?
Ivan. I know it. You have a chance to escape. A friend has been here.
Lez. Who?
Boris. Who is our friend? We are noble. The noble have no friends.
Ivan. (To Lezinka.) I know this man, Excellency. He is faithful. Take your one choice of safety, – I beseech you, (Kneels.)
Lez. Can we trust him?
Ivan. Do you trust me?
Lez. Of course, but what do you know of him?
Ivan. He is my friend, Excellency.
Boris. (Laughing mirthlessly.) The Grey Shadow.
Lez. (Seriously.) The Grey Shadow. Can it be?
Ivan. Who knows, Excellency?
Boris. Sister – do not hope for that. What is the Grey Shadow but a tale – a lie to prolong the agony of the Noble by buoying him up with hope – when there is no hope.
Lez. No, Boris. The Musiskins were rescued by the Grey Shadow. I heard from her last week. They are now safe in England.
Boris. And if he does exist – if all the stories we hear of him are true – why should he care for us? What are we? A useless shell- shocked officer, better out of the way, and a feeble girl. Let us face the truth; we are doomed to die tonight. It is the will of the people; but why? Why ? What harm have I done them? Our Uncle treated them badly but what have I done?
Lez. A mob does not consider. It hates and kills.
Boris. If I’m to die, I’ll die, but I’ll die fighting (takes revolver from drawer.) Fighting the wolves.
Ivan. Excellency, there is no need to die. Trust my friend – escape while there in time.
Boris. I’ll trust no one.
Lez. Not the Grey Shadow?
Boris. Lezinka, don’t try to give me hope. I am terrified of death, death coming nearer and nearer, as the silent wolfish eyes close in on me. If they will only scream or howl – but the will come silently – softly. If you give me hope, I shall go mad.
Ivan. (To Lez.) The strain has brought on his old malady. We must save him in spite of himself. Action will restore him.
Lez. Who is this man, who offers to help us?
(An old woman has entered the window and now speaks.)
O.W. Prince.
(Boris swings round and covers her with revolver.)
Boris. Hands up. (O.W. puts up her hands.) Now, she-wolf, what do you want?
O.W. I want to help you.
Boris. Help me! Everyone wants to help me! But I don’t trust them. You have smelt the smell of blood and want to be the first to kill.
Lez. My brother is not himself. What do you want with us?
O.W. Are you the Princess?
Lez. I am.
O.W. I have a message for you and your brother, but I must see you alone.
Lez. You may speak before Ivan.
O.W. I must see you alone.
Lez. Leave us, Ivan.
Ivan. Consider, Excellency –
Lez. I wish to speak to this woman.
(Ivan exit unwillingly.)
Lez. Now, what is it?
O.W. (Speaking naturally.) You have heard of the Workers in the Mist?
Lez. The followers of the Grey Shadow? Who has not?
O.W. I am one of them. I am here to offer you a chance of safety; it is only a chance. Will you take it?
Lez. How do I know that you are telling the truth?
O.W. I can give you nothing but my word. if you do not believe me, I will go as I came. But for your own sake I beg you to listen. Your house will be attacked tonight; 8 o’clock is the time arranged. It is now half past 7. If you stay here, what chance have you?
Lez. None. There is no one in the house except ourselves and Ivan,
O.W. Then you must choose between certain death and trusting me. The Grey Shadow has never failed yet.
Lez. Where do you mean to take us?
O.W. To England.
Lez. And you are English?
O.W. That does not matter.
Lez. Who is the Grey Shadow?
O.W. I may not say. Will you come?
Boris. Yes.
O.W. You agree, Princess?
Lez. Yes.
O.W. Good. I’ll tell my friends and be back in five minutes. Tell no one. Trust no one.
Boris. We can’t leave Ivan.
O.W. The people want you – not your servant.
Boris. I will not leave Ivan. The wolves will kill him., if they are robbed of their prey.
O.W. You can trust him?
Lez. Absolutely.
Boris. He was my Servant all through the War.
O.W. Let him come then. Stay here till I come back.
(Exit O.W. by window.)
Lez. (Calling.) Ivan!
(Enter Ivan.)
Lez. Ivan, be ready to start in five minutes.
Ivan. You will come, Excellency?
(Fur enters. Boris swings round, revolver in hand.)
Fur. Now is the moment to go.
(Ivan takes revolver from Boris.)
Ivan. (To Lez.) It is safer so, Excellency. He must not shoot his friends.
Fur. Will you come? It is your only chance. In less than half an hour the mob will break into the house. I am noble – as you are. I beg you to trust me. You have no other friends within miles.
Boris. The Grey Shadow is our friend.
Lez. (Warningly.) Boris!
Fur. The. Grey – ! You have an offer of help?
Boris. The Grey Shadow will rescue us.
Ivan. Excellency, isn’t it better to trust your known friends?
Fur. No, Ivan. Your Master has a stronger friend than I am. Prince – Princess – I congratulate you, you are in good hands. Is Ivan going with you?
Boris. Certainly.
Ivan. I shall be in your way, Excellency. You will have more chance of escape without me.
Boris. We do not leave our friends to the wolves.
Ivan. Don’t think of me, Excellency.
Fur. Your place is with your Master.
Ivan. If I can serve you –
Boris. You are my friend, Ivan.
Lez. We must thank you, sir, may we not know the name of our friend?
Fur. In these times it is safer to have no name. My help is no longer needed. Farewell. (Exit.)
Boris. Why doesn’t she come back? She said five minutes. Is she deceiving us? Torturing us with false hope?
Lez. We must trust the Grey Shadow.
Boris. The Grey Shadow – what if it is nothing but a shadow?
(A tap at the window. Lezinka opens it. The O.W. enters with a bundle of clothes.)
O.W. Put on these clothes, you have very little time. You must be ready in 10 minutes. Collect your valuables, but we must travel as light as possible.
Lez. And Ivan?
O.W. He will need no disguise. Quick.
(Exeunt Boris and Lezinka.),
Ivan. You come from the Grey Shadow. Who is he?
O.W. He is a saver of life.
Ivan. That is not enough. I must know more.
O.W. You must be satisfied with that.
Ivan. I\ love my master. I must know to whose hands he has trusted his life. (Almost threateningly.)
O.W. The Workers in the Mist do not betray their leader. Your master is safe.
Ivan. Play him false and I’ll kill you.
(Exit Ivan.)
(O.W. hears noise by window and conceals herself. A hideously diseased Lame Man enters at window – walking with one crutch. He looks about: sees 2 decanters of wine on cupboard. Dopes it and turns to go. Boris enters without coat or waistcoat.)
Boris. Ivan! (Sees Lame Man.) What are you?
Lame. The Avenger of blood.
Boris. The wolves are upon us,
Lame. Not yet, Prince. You have still fifteen minutes of life – fifteen minutes of terror. I will not take that from you.
Boris. Go – go, I tell you! Don’t stare at me like that.
Lame. I want to look my fill. I want to see you writhe; we poor have writhed under your heel for years and years. Now it is your turn; what does it feel like? Fourteen minutes now, Prince. And no escape; we are all round the house. You must bestir yourself, if you wish to go. Have you no friends, rich man? Is your money no good to you? Will no one come to rescue you? No news of the Grey Shadow? They say he is an Englishman. It is a long way from England. He must come quickly to be in time. Thirteen minutes, Prince, You will hear the bay of the wolves coming nearer – nearer as I am coming now – you will see their eyes glaring as my eyes are glaring now – you will feel their fangs at your throat – as – no, Prince, I will not be merciful, I will not kill you yet. There is chance of escape. Call to the Grey Shadow, he may still be in time. Do you love your life? You have twelve minutes to enjoy it. (Exit Lame.)
(Boris collapses, head on table. A moment’s pause. Then enter a man with a Red Beard. O.W. comes out.)
Red. Hullo, Prince, look alive.
Boris. Are you another – come to torment me?
Red. No, no, I’m a friend – a worker in the Mist. Here – drink some of this. Aren’t you dressed yet. Where’s your servant? What’s his name?
O.W. Ivan.
Red. (Calls.) Ivan! Ivan! Come here, can’t you? Feeling better? That’s good.
(Enter Ivan.)
O.W. Take your master and dress him quickly. You must be back in less than five minutes.
(Ivan exit with Boris.)
(Red goes to window and signals. Enter Blind and Dumb men.)
Blind. Are they ready?
Red. Will be in five minutes. The Prince was a bit delayed. Had a visit from a oheery looking lame card a few minutes ago. I watched him go in at the window. I could have laid him out easily, but my orders were to take no notice of .anyone coming and going, but I’m going to have a go at him soon. I think he put the wind up the Prince, but he will be all the keener to be moving. What are your orders?
Blind. We had to join you hers at ten to 8 and get instructions from you.
Red. Right. Then you two have to take the Prince and Princess to the cars. Where are they?
Blind. About two miles away. Where you left us this morning.
Red. Get then into the Daimler and drive like fury for the Creek. The boat’s still there. Three hours is the time limit; it’s just over 100 miles.
Blind. I’ll do it in two and a half.
Red. My dear boy, you can’t drive, you’re blind.
Blind. Oh yes – I forgot.
Red. He’s the Chauffeur. You have to wait for me with the Austin.
Blind. How are you to amuse yourself meanwhile?
Red. Well, first I have to pot my lame friend. I think that’s to draw attention to myself, because then I’ve got to run about 4 or 5 miles with these blighters at my heels to prevent them from following your crowd. Then I join you, we wave our hankies to my friends and nip off in the Austin. If I’m not there by a quarter to nine, you boost off without me. But there’s one thing that worries me – I’ve got to shoot my lame friend with a revolver which the old lady will give me. Why? I could make much more sure of him with my old colt, and I don’t want to miss. The old gentleman seems to be a big pot among then. And I can’t say I took a fancy to him.
O.W. Every order must be obeyed without question.
Blind. Book of the rules. Number one.
O.W. Here you are. (Hands revolver.)
Red. Oh well; goodbye my dear. (Exchange revolvers.)
Blind. What’s to happen to the cars?
Red. We’ve got to abandon them when we get to the coast. There won’t be time to embark them.
(Enter Princess, Prince and Ivan. Boris and Lezinka are disguised.)
O.W. These are my fellow workers, Princess.
Lez. How can we thank you? When do we start? (To Dumb, who makes inarticulate sounds.)
Blind. He has no tongue, Princess.
O.W. We are to start as soon as we hear the front door being attacked. The watchers will not leave their posts before then.
(Boris in a very nervous state, is going to pour out some wine.)
O.W. Don’t drink that, Prince. It’s poisoned or drugged.
Red. Have some of this, Prince.
(A murmur begins without, swelling gradually to a roar.)
Boris. The wolves are on the trail. (All stand silent, while the noise increases. An axe strikes a door without.)
O.W. Now.
(Exeunt Boris, Lezinka, with Blind and Dumb, O.W., Ivan, last Red Beard, who remains outside near window. There is a shout outside as the door gives way. A moment’s pause then enter Lame, followed by Axe, Gun and Cudgel. Others are heard shouting outside, as if searching the house. Lame remains in doorway, directing operations.)
Lame. Blood! Blood! Search for the tyrants. Bring them to me! Our sweat has flowed for their leisure. Their blood shall flow for mine. Search, brothers.
Gun. They’ve gone by the window.
Lame. No. They’re in the house. I saw the tyrant here – here in this room. He’s hiding! He’s shaking with terror in some corner. Drag him out, brothers! Carry on the good work; bring the oppressors to judgment! I will be their judge. I will condemn them. They shall shiver before my judgement throne. Man – you have ground down the poor under your heel: Woman – you have gone dressed in silks and furs, while we shivered at your door. Your blood for ours!
(The others have found the wine and are quarrelling over it. They drink a lot. The Lame Man takes no notice.)
Lame. Now the people are the rulers! The poor are your masters! Bow down, you rich – kiss the ground before my feet. I am your judge and I am your Executioner. This crutch shall beat out your brains. The People demand your blood! The People –
(Red Beard fires. Lame falls. Axe rushes to window, sways and falls. Gun goes to Lame, kneels by him and gradually slides down beside him. Cudgel remains standing, stupefied, by the cupboard..)
Fur. (Entering at door.) Where are they? Where’s the Prince? (Goes up to Cudgel.) Where’s the Prince, I say? (He shakes him. Cudgel subsides on to floor. Fur kneels beside him, back to Lame, who crawls stealthily towards him.)
Fur. Doped!
Lame. (Seizing him by throat and pulling him backwards.) Yes, doped. (Takes bottle and forces it down Fur’s throat.) That’s what we do to traitors,
(Fur leaps up and grapples with him. Lame holds him till drug takes effect and he falls on floor. Then up to door.)
Lame. Search, Brothers! Bring the oppressors before the judgement seat of the oppressed. Let the people (ad lib.)
CURTAIN