The Mousetrap

TROTTER. That’s right, Miss. The Corrigans. Two boys and a girl. Brought before the court as in need of care and protection. A home was found for them with Mr. and Mrs. Stanning at Longridge Farm. One of the children subsequently died as the result of criminal neglect and persistent ill-treatment. Case made a bit of a sensation at the time.

MOLLIE. (Very much shaken) It was horrible.

TROTTER. The Stannings were sentenced to terms of imprisonment. Stanning died in prison. Mrs. Stanning served her sentence and was duly released. Yesterday, as I say, she was found strangled at twenty-four Culver Street.

MOLLIE. Who did it?

TROTTER. I’m coming to that, madam. A notebook was picked up near the scene of the crime. In that notebook was written two addresses. One was twenty-four Culver Street. The other (He pauses) was Monkswell Manor.

GILES. What?

TROTTER. Yes, sir.

(During the next speech PARAVICINI moves slowly Left to the stairs and leans on the upstage side of the arch.)

That’s why Superintendent Hogben, on receiving this information from Scotland Yard, thought it imperative for me to come out here and find out if you knew of any connection between this house, or anyone in this house, and the Longridge Farm case.

GILES. (Moving to the Left end of the refectory table) There’s nothing—absolutely nothing. It must be a coincidence.

TROTTER. Superintendent Hogben doesn’t think it is a coincidence, sir.

(MAJOR METCALF turns and looks at TROTTER. During the next speeches he takes out his pipe and fills it.)

He’d have come himself if it had been in any way possible. Under the weather conditions, and as I can ski, he sent me with instructions to get full particulars of everyone in the house, to report back to him by phone, and to take what measures I thought fit to ensure the safety of the household.

GILES. Safety? What danger does he think we’re in? Good Lord, he’s not suggesting that somebody is going to be killed here.

TROTTER. I don’t want to frighten any of the ladies—but frankly, yes, that is the idea.

GILES. But—why?

TROTTER. That’s what I’m here to find out.

GILES. But the whole thing’s crazy!

TROTTER. Yes, sir. It’s because it’s crazy that it’s dangerous.

MRS. BOYLE. Nonsense!

MISS CASEWELL. I must say it seems a bit far-fetched.

CHRISTOPHER. I think it’s wonderful. (He turns and looks at MAJOR METCALF.)

(MAJOR METCALF lights his pipe.)

MOLLIE. Is there something that you haven’t told us, Sergeant?

TROTTER. Yes, Mrs. Ralston. Below the two addresses was written “Three Blind Mice.” And on the dead woman’s body was a paper with “This is the First” written on it, and below the words, a drawing of three little mice and a bar of music. The music was the tune of the nursery rhyme Three Blind Mice. You know how it goes. (He sings) “Three Blind Mice . . .”

MOLLIE. (Singing)

“Three Blind Mice,

See how they run,

They all ran after the farmer’s wife . . .”

Oh, it’s horrible.

GILES. There were three children and one died?

TROTTER. Yes, the youngest, a boy of eleven.

GILES. What happened to the other two?

TROTTER. The girl was adopted by someone. We haven’t been able to trace her present whereabouts. The elder boy would now be about twenty-two. Deserted from the Army and has not been heard of since. According to the Army psychologist, was definitely schizophrenic. (Explaining) A bit queer in the head, that’s to say.

MOLLIE. They think that it was he who killed Mrs. Lyon—Mrs. Stanning? (She moves down to the armchair Centre.)

TROTTER. Yes.

MOLLIE. And that he’s a homicidal maniac (She sits) and that he will turn up here and try to kill someone—but why?

TROTTER. That’s what I’ve got to find out from you. As the Superintendent sees it, there must be some connection. (To GILES) Now you state, sir, that you yourself have never had any connection with the Longridge Farm case?

GILES. No.

TROTTER. And the same goes for you, madam?

MOLLIE. (Not at ease) I—no—I mean—no connection.

TROTTER. What about servants?

(MRS. BOYLE registers disapproval.)

MOLLIE. We haven’t got any servants. (She rises and moves up Right to the arch.) That reminds me. Would you mind, Sergeant Trotter, if I went to the kitchen? I’ll be there if you want me.

TROTTER. That’s quite all right, Mrs. Ralston.