The Mousetrap

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 ofGUDGEON) Veronica Craye? The film star? Is she in this part of the world?

GUDGEON. (Giving theSERGEANTa dirty look; to theINSPECTOR) 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 theSERGEANT) 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 toGUDGEON) 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?