The Mousetrap

NEVILE. (Surprised.) Camilla? What’s wrong with her?

AUDREY. She’s—she’s dead.

KAY. (Sitting on the chaise.) Oh, no, no.

NEVILE. It must have been her heart.

AUDREY. No—it—it wasn’t her heart. (She presses her hands to her eyes. They all stare at her. She shouts.) There’s blood—all over her head. (She suddenly screams out hysterically.) She’s been murdered. Don’t you understand? She’s been murdered. (Audrey sinks into the easy chair down L. and the lights fade to Black-Out, as—the Curtain falls.)

CURTAIN

Scene II

SCENE—The same. Two hours later. The furniture has been moved to make the room more suitable for the police interrogations. The coffee table has been moved into the alcove R., and the chaise on to the rostrum. A card table has been placed R. C. with the upright chair from the alcove L. of it. The armchair L. C. is now above the card table and the easy chair down L. is now L. C. On the card table is a small tray with a jug of water and two glasses. Also on the card table are a box of cigarettes, an ashtray and a box of matches. A copy of “The Times” lies half open on the window-seat.

When the Curtain rises, Treves is standingL. of the card table, looking around the room. After a moment he moves upC. on the rostrum. Superintendent Battle entersL. He is a big man, aged about fifty, and is quietly dressed. His face is heavy but intelligent.

TREVES. Ah. Battle.

BATTLE. That’s fixed up, sir.

TREVES. It was all right, was it, Battle?

BATTLE. (Crossing toC.) Yes, sir. The Chief Constable got through to the Yard. As I happened to be on the spot they’ve agreed to let me handle the case. (He moves down R., turns and looks around the room.)

TREVES. (Moving downC.) I’m very glad. It’s going to make it easier having you instead of a stranger. Pity to have spoilt your holiday, though.

BATTLE. Oh, I don’t mind that, sir. I’ll be able to give my nephew a hand. It’ll be his first murder case, you see.

TREVES. (Moving to the bureau chair.) Yes, yes—I’ve no doubt he will find your experience of great help. (He moves the chair to R. of the card table.)

BATTLE. (Crossing toR. C.) It’s a nasty business.

TREVES. Shocking, shocking. (He crosses and stands below the easy chairL. C.)

BATTLE. I’ve seen the doctor. Two blows were struck. The first was sufficient to cause death. The murderer must have struck again to make sure, or in a blind rage.

TREVES. Horrible. (He sits in the easy chairL. C.) I can’t believe it could have been anyone in the house.

BATTLE. Afraid it was, sir. We’ve been into all that. No entry was forced. (He moves in the direction of the French windows.) All the doors and windows were fastened this morning as usual. And then there’s the drugging of Miss Aldin—that must have been an inside job.

TREVES. How is she?

BATTLE. Still sleeping it off, but she was given a pretty heavy dose. It looks like careful planning on somebody’s part. (He crosses to C.) Lady Tressilian might have pulled that bell which rings in Miss Aldin’s room, if she’d been alarmed. That had to be taken care of—so Miss Aldin was doped.

TREVES. (Troubled.) It still seems to me quite incredible.

BATTLE. We’ll get to the bottom of it, sir, in the end. (He moves to L. of the card table.) Death occurred, according to the doctor, between ten-thirty and midnight. Not earlier than ten-thirty, not later than midnight. That should be a help. (He sits on the chair L. of the card table.)

TREVES. Yes, yes. And the weapon used was a niblick?