The Mousetrap

WYATT. There was no evidence that she had done so. I should say, on the contrary, that she had been taken quite unprepared.

(MYERS resumes his seat.)

SIRWILFRID. (Rising) Doctor, where exactly on the head had this blow been struck? There was only one blow, was there not?

WYATT. Only one. On the left side of the asterion.

SIRWILFRID. I beg your pardon? Where?

WYATT. The asterion. The junction of the parietal, occipital and temple bones.

SIRWILFRID. Oh, yes. And in layman’s language, where is that?

WYATT. Behind the left ear.

SIRWILFRID. Would that indicate that the blow had been struck by a left-handed person?

WYATT. It’s difficult to say. The blow appeared to have been struck directly from behind, because the bruising ran perpendicularly. I should say it is really impossible to say whether it was delivered by a right- or left-handed man.

SIRWILFRID. We don’t know yet that it was a man, Doctor. But will you agree, from the position of the blow, that if anything it is more likely to have been delivered by a left-handed person?

WYATT. That is possibly so. But I would prefer to say that it is uncertain.

SIRWILFRID. At the moment the blow was struck, would blood have been likely to have got on to the hand or arm that struck the blow?

WYATT. Yes, certainly.

SIRWILFRID. And only on that hand or arm?

WYATT. Probably only on that hand and arm, but it’s difficult to be dogmatic.

SIRWILFRID. Quite so, Doctor Wyatt. Now, would great strength have been needed to strike such a blow?

WYATT. No. From the position of the wound no great strength would have been needed.

SIRWILFRID. It would not necessarily be a man who had struck the blow. A woman could have done so equally well?

WYATT. Certainly.

SIRWILFRID. Thank you. (He sits.)

MYERS. (Rising) Thank you, Doctor. (To theUSHER.) Call Janet MacKenzie.

(WYATT stands down, crosses and exits up L. The POLICEMAN opens the door. The USHER rises and crosses to C.)

USHER. Janet MacKenzie.

POLICEMAN. (Calling) Janet MacKenzie.

(JANET MACKENZIE enters up L. She is a tall, dour-looking Scots-woman. Her face is set in a grim line. Whenever she looks at LEONARD, she does so with loathing. The POLICEMAN closes the door. JANET crosses and enters the witness box. The USHER moves and stands beside the witness box. JANET picks up the Bible in her left hand.)

USHER. Other hand, please. (He holds out the oath card.)

JANET. (Puts the Bible into her right hand.) I swear by Almighty God that the evidence that I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. (She hands the Bible to theUSHER.)

(The USHER puts the Bible and oath card on the ledge of the witness box, crosses and resumes his seat.)

MYERS. Your name is Janet MacKenzie?

JANET. Aye—that’s my name.

MYERS. You were companion housekeeper to the late Miss Emily French?

JANET. I was her housekeeper. I’ve no opinion of companions, poor feckless bodies, afraid to do a bit of honest domestic work.

MYERS. Quite so, quite so, I meant only that you were held in esteem and affection by Miss French, and were on friendly terms together. Not quite those of mistress and servant.

JANET. (To theJUDGE.) Twenty years I’ve been with her and looked after her. She knew me and she trusted me, and many’s the time I’ve prevented her doing a foolish action!

JUDGE. Miss MacKenzie, would you please address your remarks to the Jury.

MYERS. What sort of a person was Miss French?

JANET. She was a warm-hearted body—too warmhearted at times, I’m thinking. A wee bit impulsive too. There were times when she’d have no sense at all. She was easily flattered, you see.

MYERS. When did you first see the prisoner, Leonard Vole?

JANET. He came to the house, I mind, at the end of August.

MYERS. How often did he come to the house?

JANET. To begin with once a week, but later it was oftener. Two and even three times he’d come. He’d sit there flattering her, telling her how young she looked and noticing any new clothes she was wearing.

MYERS. (Rather hastily) Quite, quite. Now will you tell the Jury in your own words, Miss MacKenzie, about the events of October the fourteenth.