The Mousetrap

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 theINSPECTOR) 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.