The Mousetrap

MIDGE. Of course—but I’m expecting a call. (She picks up her suitcase and crosses to Left.)

SIRHENRY. I’ll give you a hail when it comes through, unless they forget all about it.

(MIDGE exits Left. SIR HENRY closes the door behind her.)

(He crosses to Left of the INSPECTOR.) A second thirty-eight Smith and Wesson exhibit in a brown leather holster is missing from my study.

INSPECTOR. (Taking a revolver from his pocket) Would it be this gun, Sir Henry?

(SIR HENRY, surprised, takes the revolver from the INSPECTOR and carefully examines it.)

SIRHENRY. Yes—yes, this is it. Where did you find it?

INSPECTOR. That doesn’t matter for the moment. But the shot that killed Doctor Cristow was fired from that gun. May I speak to your butler, Sir Henry? (He holds out his hand for the revolver.)

SIRHENRY. (Handing the revolver to theINSPECTOR) Of course. (He turns, crosses to the fireplace and presses the bell-push.) Do you want to speak to him in here?

INSPECTOR. (Putting the revolver in his pocket) If you please, Sir Henry.

SIRHENRY. Do you want me to go away or to remain? I should prefer to remain. Gudgeon is a very old and valued servant.

INSPECTOR. I would prefer you to be here, Sir Henry.

(GUDGEON enters Left.)

GUDGEON. You rang, Sir Henry?

SIRHENRY. Yes, Gudgeon. (He indicates theINSPECTOR.)

(GUDGEON looks politely at the INSPECTOR.)

INSPECTOR. Gudgeon, have you lately had a pistol or a revolver in your possession?

(SIR HENRY sits in the armchair Left centre)

GUDGEON. (Crossing to Left of theINSPECTOR; imperturbably) I don’t think so, sir. I don’t own any firearms.

SERGEANT. (Reading from his notebook) “I happened to glance over the banisters and I saw Mr. Gudgeon standing in the front hall with a revolver—

(GUDGEON reacts by clenching his fists.)

—in his hand and he looked ever so peculiar . . .”

(The INSPECTOR looks at the SERGEANT, who breaks off abruptly.)

GUDGEON. That is quite correct, sir. I’m sorry it slipped my memory.

INSPECTOR. Perhaps you will tell us exactly what occurred.

GUDGEON. Certainly, sir. It was about one o’clock on Saturday. Normally, of course, I should have been bringing in luncheon, but owing to a murder having taken place a short time before, household routine was disorganized. As I was passing through the front hall, I noticed one of Sir Henry’s pistols, a small Derringer it was, sir, lying on the oak chest there. I didn’t think it should be left lying about, so I picked it up and subsequently took it to the master’s study and put it back in its proper place. I may add, sir, that I have no recollection of having looked peculiar.

INSPECTOR. (Moving to Right of the sofa) You say you put the gun in Sir Henry’s study? (He moves below the sofa and faces up stage.) Is it there now?

GUDGEON. To the best of my belief, sir. I can easily ascertain.

INSPECTOR. (Moving to Left of the sofa and taking the revolver from his pocket) It wasn’t—this gun?

GUDGEON. (Moving in to Left of theINSPECTORand looking at the revolver) On no, sir. That’s a thirty-eight Smith and Wesson—this was a small pistol—a Derringer.

INSPECTOR. You seem to know a good deal about firearms.

GUDGEON. I served in the nineteen-fourteen-eighteen war, sir.

INSPECTOR. (Turning and moving down Right) And you say you found this Derringer pistol—on the oak chest in the hall?

GUDGEON. Yes, sir.

(LADY ANGKATELL enters up Centre from Left. The INSPECTOR eases above the Right end of the sofa.)