The Mousetrap and Other Plays (45 page)

SERGEANT
. You think Edward Angkatell's sweet on this Henrietta woman?

INSPECTOR
. That is my idea.

SERGEANT
. And was doing his best not to get her mixed up in it.

INSPECTOR
. Exactly.

SERGEANT
. Yes—it certainly looks like it.

INSPECTOR
. (
Easing below the sofa
) And granting that, Penny, it gives us another suspect.

SERGEANT
. Edward Angkatell?

INSPECTOR
. (
Sitting on the sofa at the Right end of it
) Yes. He's the nervous sort. If he cared very much for Henrietta and discovered that she was John Cristow's mistress, he's just the quiet type that goes off half-cock when everybody least expects it.

SERGEANT
. Hoped he'd get her when the other man was out of the way?

INSPECTOR
. We've both known cases like that.

SERGEANT
. (
Moving up Centre
) So in your opinion it's between the three of them, Henrietta Angkatell, Edward Angkatell and the wife?

INSPECTOR
. Oh, I've got a very open mind about it, Penny—a very open mind. (
He takes
VERONICA
's handbag from under the cushion and holds it up.
) Just tell me what you make of this?

SERGEANT
. (
Moving to Left of the sofa
) Lady's handbag.

INSPECTOR
. Undoubtedly.

SERGEANT
. We went over it when we did this room. (
He consults his notebook.
) Two pounds ten shillings in notes, seven shillings in cash, the usual lipstick, powder compact and rouge. Silver cigarette lighter. Lace handkerchief unmarked. All very Ritzy. Belongs to one of the ladies, I suppose, I couldn't say which.

(
The
INSPECTOR
rises with the bag in his hand, crosses to the fireplace and presses the bellpush.
)

I didn't go into the matter, as I didn't think it important.

INSPECTOR
. You think it belongs to one of the ladies in this house?

SERGEANT
. (
Moving up Left Centre
) I assumed so. Have you any reason for thinking otherwise?

INSPECTOR
. Only aesthetic sense. (
He crosses to Left of the sofa.
) Not in good enough taste for Lady Angkatell. Too expensive for little Miss Harvey. Far too fashionable for Mrs. Cristow. Too flamboyant for Henrietta Angkatell. It doesn't seem to me to belong to this household at all. (
He looks at the bag.
) I find it—very intriguing.

SERGEANT
. (
Easing to the fireplace
) I daresay I can find out who it does belong to. But as I say, the contents being nothing out of the ordinary . . .

INSPECTOR
. Are you quite sure you've mentioned all its contents?

SERGEANT
. I think so, sir.

(
GUDGEON
enters Left.
)

GUDGEON
. You rang, sir?

INSPECTOR
. Yes. Can you tell me to whom this bag belongs?

GUDGEON
(
Crossing to Left of the
INSPECTOR
) I'm afraid not, sir. I don't recollect ever having seen it before. I could ask her ladyship's own maid, sir. She would probably know better than I should.

INSPECTOR
. Thank you.

(
GUDGEON
turns, moves to the door down Left, then hesitates and turns.
)

GUDGEON
. It just occurred to me, sir, if I might make a suggestion?

INSPECTOR
. By all means.

GUDGEON
. (
Moving Left Centre
) It might possibly be the property of Miss Veronica Craye.

SERGEANT
. (
Moving to Left of
GUDGEON
) Veronica Craye? The film star? Is she in this part of the world?

GUDGEON
. (
Giving the
SERGEANT
a dirty look; to the
INSPECTOR
) She occupies the cottage a hundred yards up the lane. Dovecotes, it's called.

INSPECTOR
. Has Miss Craye been here?

GUDGEON
. She was here yesterday evening, sir.

INSPECTOR
. And she was carrying this bag?

GUDGEON
. No, sir. She was in evening dress and was carrying a white diamanté bag. But I think it possible Miss Craye was here earlier this morning for a short time.

INSPECTOR
. When?

GUDGEON
. About midday, sir.

INSPECTOR
. You saw her?

GUDGEON
. I didn't see her myself, sir.

SERGEANT
. Well, who did?

GUDGEON
. (
With an angry glance at the
SERGEANT
) The underhousemaid observed her from one of the bedroom windows, sir.

The girl is an ardent movie fan. She was quite thrilled.

SERGEANT
. I'll have a word with that girl.

(
He exits Left.
)

INSPECTOR
. Lady Angkatell didn't mention that Miss Craye had been here this morning.

GUDGEON
. I don't think her ladyship was aware of Miss Craye's visit.

INSPECTOR
. Who did she come to see, then?

GUDGEON
. As to that, sir, I couldn't say.

(
The
INSPECTOR
crosses above the sofa to Right of it.
)

H'm! (
He coughs.
)

INSPECTOR
. (
Turning to
GUDGEON
) Yes?

GUDGEON
. A note was brought over from Dovecotes for Doctor Cristow earlier in the morning. Doctor Cristow said there was no answer.

INSPECTOR
. I see. What happened to that note?

GUDGEON
. I think I could produce it for you, sir. I picked up some crumpled paper by the wastepaper basket.

INSPECTOR
. Thank you, Gudgeon—I should be extremely obliged if you will bring it to me at once.

GUDGEON
. (
Turning and crossing to the door Left
) Very good, sir.

INSPECTOR
. I gather Doctor Cristow knew Miss Craye?

GUDGEON
. It would seem so, sir. He went over to see her last night—after dinner. (
He waits expectantly.
)

INSPECTOR
. When did he return?

GUDGEON
. As to that, sir, I could not say. Acting on Sir Henry's instructions I left the side door unfastened when I retired to bed at twelve fifteen
A
.
M
.

(
The
INSPECTOR
puts the bag on the writing table.
)

Up to that time Doctor Cristow had not returned.

(
VERONICA
enters up Centre from Left.
)

VERONICA
. I've just heard the news. It's awful—just awful. (
She moves above the sofa.
) Are you . . . ?

INSPECTOR
. I'm Inspector Colquhoun of Scotland Yard.

VERONICA
. Then John
was
murdered?

(
GUDGEON
exits abruptly Left.
)

INSPECTOR
. Oh yes, Miss Craye, he was murdered.

VERONICA
. So you know who I am? (
She moves below the Left end of the sofa.
)

INSPECTOR
. I'm very fond of a good film.

VERONICA
. How charming of you. (
She sits on the sofa at the Left end of it.
) I'm over in England to make a picture.

INSPECTOR
. (
Crossing below the sofa to Left Centre.
) Doctor Cristow was a friend of yours?

VERONICA
. I hadn't seen him for years. I came over last night to borrow some matches—and the first person I saw when I came into the room was John Cristow.

INSPECTOR
. Were you pleased to see him?

VERONICA
. I was very pleased. It's always nice to meet an old friend.

INSPECTOR
. He called on you yesterday evening, I believe?

VERONICA
. Yes, I asked him to come over after dinner if he could manage it. We had a delightful talk about old times and old friends.

INSPECTOR
. (
Crossing to the fireplace
) What time did he leave?

VERONICA
. I've really no idea. We talked for quite a while.

INSPECTOR
. About old times?

VERONICA
. Yes, of course a lot had happened to us both.

(
The
INSPECTOR
moves up Centre and closes the window.
)

He'd done very well in his profession, I understand. And he'd married since I knew him.

INSPECTOR
. (
Easing up Right.
) You didn't know his wife?

VERONICA
. No, no, he introduced us here last night. I gathered from what he—well, didn't exactly say, but hinted at—that his married life wasn't awfully happy.

INSPECTOR
. Oh, really.

VERONICA
. I think his wife was one of those dim ineffectual women who are inclined to be jealous.

INSPECTOR
. (
Moving to Right of the sofa
) Had she any cause for jealousy?

VERONICA
. Oh, don't ask me. I just thought there might have been a little trouble lately. Jealousy does make people do such dreadful things.

INSPECTOR
. You think he was shot by his wife?

VERONICA
. Oh, I don't really know anything about it. It was my maid—she told me that his wife had actually been found standing over him with the revolver still in her hand. But of course the wildest stories do get around in the country.

INSPECTOR
. (
Easing above the writing table
) This one happens to be quite true.

VERONICA
. Oh, I suppose his wife found out about him and the sculptress woman.

(
The
SERGEANT
enters Left. He carries the crumpled note.
)

INSPECTOR
. Excuse me.

(
The
SERGEANT
crosses below the coffee table to the
INSPECTOR
and hands him the crumpled note.
)

VERONICA
. Of course.

SERGEANT
. (
Aside to the
INSPECTOR
) He got back at three o'clock. (
He moves up Right.
)

VERONICA
. I really just came over to—to . . .

INSPECTOR
. (
Picking up the handbag
) To get your bag, perhaps? It
is
your bag?

VERONICA
. (
Disconcerted
) Oh yes. (
She rises.
) Thank you.

INSPECTOR
. Just a moment.

(
VERONICA
resumes her seat on the sofa.
)

(
He refers to the note, then crosses below the sofa to Left Centre
) Doctor Cristow returned to this house at three
A
.
M
. this morning. Isn't that rather an unconventional hour?

VERONICA
. We were talking about old times.

INSPECTOR
. So you said.

VERONICA
. It must have been much later than I thought.

INSPECTOR
. Was that the last time you saw Doctor Cristow?

VERONICA
. (
Quickly
) Yes.

INSPECTOR
. Are you quite sure, Miss Craye?

VERONICA
. Of course I'm sure.

INSPECTOR
. What about this bag of yours?

VERONICA
. Oh, I must have left that last night, when I came to get the matches.

INSPECTOR
. Rather large and heavy for an evening bag. (
He pauses.
) I think you left it here this morning.

VERONICA
. And what makes you think that?

INSPECTOR
. (
Moving to the fireplace and putting the bag on the mantelpiece
) Partly this note of yours. (
He smooths out the note and reads it.
) “Please come over this morning. I must see you, Veronica.” A little curt, Miss Craye. Doctor Cristow, I believe, said there was no answer. He didn't come to you—so you came here to see him, didn't you?

VERONICA
. (
Rising and moving to the armchair Left Centre, with a change of manner
) How wonderful you are! You seem to know
everything.

INSPECTOR
. Not quite everything. What happened when you came here? Did you quarrel?

VERONICA
. We-ell—you couldn't call it a
quarrel
exactly. (
She sighs and sits in the armchair Left Centre.
) Poor John.

INSPECTOR
. Why poor John?

VERONICA
. I didn't want to tell you. It didn't seem
fair.

INSPECTOR
. Yes?

VERONICA
. John went mad—quite mad. He'd been in love with me years ago. He—he wanted to leave his wife and children—he wanted me to get a divorce and marry him. It's really quite frightening to think one can have such an affect on a man.