A Fool's Paradise Part 23

BEA. Not until he has made a will in her favour.

SIR P. He said he would make it to-day. She heard him say so, and she knows that he has seen his solicitor.

BEA. (_sits on sofa_) Yes, but my husband has been ill some weeks.

Miss Derwent had nothing to gain by his death until this will was made.

SIR P. (_sitting R. of her_) Therefore, she has not killed him. The process has been admirably timed. She began to compa.s.s his death when she had nothing to gain by it, and therefore was not open to suspicion; and on the point of its consummation, adroitly threw herself upon his generosity. You must admit the ingenuity of the scheme.

BEA. But the evidence?

SIR P. That is where you must help me. It is incomplete. But it is obvious enough, the criminal, whoever it is, is familiar with the properties of a.r.s.enic, which are not so simple as is commonly supposed. A bungler would have killed him long ago; but Miss Derwent is half a doctor. She was at Guy's for years. She is a particular friend of Dr. Kennedy's--and, strongest evidence of all, his book on toxicology is here--(_rises, crosses to piano, takes book, and recrosses to back of sofa, R. of it_) inscribed with her name--and has evidently been considerably studied. (_gives book to BEATRICE_) Especially, one chapter.

BEA. Which is that?

SIR P. Open it.

BEA. "a.r.s.enic"!

SIR P. Look at the t.i.tle page.

BEA. "Kate Derwent--from her friend, the Author."

SIR P. (_takes book again_) I submit that the case against her is one of the gravest suspicion (_crosses to back of table, L. of it_)

BEA. Then you accuse your friend and protegee.

SIR P. Science has no friends.h.i.+ps. _Someone_ is poisoning your husband. I suspect Miss Derwent. (_KATE appears momentarily R.C._) Accept my theory or reject it--(_raises his voice, to make sure KATE can hear him_) _Watch that gla.s.s!_ If anybody touches it----

BEA. Who can, but me! When you have gone, and I have locked the door, no one can get into this room to-night. Where is this poison coming from?

SIR P. Wherever it comes from, I know where it goes; into that gla.s.s.

Therefore, please, _watch the gla.s.s!_ If anybody tampers with it, ring this bell. (_indicates bell pull, going towards it up R._)

BEA. (_rises_) What, the alarm-bell? (_goes to C._)

SIR P. It will rouse the house. A miscreant will be brought to justice, and your husband's life will be saved. (_comes down R.C._)

BEA. If no one touches it?

SIR P. He is safe for to-night, at any rate. Madam, I have the honour to wish you a very good evening. (_exit, R.I.D._)

_Music in orchestra._

BEA. (_locks door after him, and breaks into a low, hollow laugh_) Thank you, Sir Peter! thank you very much! (_goes to C._) The case you have begun, I will complete. Now, I can not only save myself, but triumph! If I convict Miss Derwent of this crime, the will must be abandoned. (_gets R. of table, KATE appears R.C., watching her_) It is worth some risk! I can but fail: and if I do--(_produces phial, and pours the contents into the medicine, laughing_) I'll make this strong enough. There! Now to bring Miss Derwent. I will say Philip's dying, and has asked to see her. Then I will rouse the house, and she shall be found here--alone with this! (_goes to R.C._) Sir Peter will corroborate me, Philip will be convinced, and my Lord Normantower--ha, ha!--can marry her! Thank you, Sir Peter, thank you! (_unlocks door, and exit, R.I.D._)

KATE. Oh! (_in opening, R.C._)

PHIL. (_off L._) Beatrice!

KATE. My brother's voice--if I were found here now!

PHIL. (_nearer_) Beatrice!

(_KATE retreats out of sight, R._)

_Enter PHILIP, L.D._ (_PHILIP goes down L. to L.C._)

PHIL. Not here? Where can she be? (_watch_) Good gracious, I've been asleep for nearly three hours. (_yawning_) Well, I suppose she won't be very long; (_KATE appears again, watching PHILIP, who sits on sofa_) Ah, there's the medicine! That last dose, which old Lund said was so particular. I'd forgotten all about it. But Mousey hadn't. She forgets nothing--nothing! (_rises_) Well, the sooner I take it, the sooner it's over. (_about to drink_)

KATE. (_rus.h.i.+ng forward_) Philip! Stop! (_music stops_)

PHIL. Kate? (_sets down the gla.s.s_)

KATE. It's poison! (_R. of sofa_)

PHIL. Poison?

_Re-enter BEATRICE, R.I.D._

KATE. Yes! (_hysterically_) She is killing you!

PHIL. (_confounded_) Who?

KATE. Beatrice! (_PHILIP drops into sofa_) Your wife! (_sobs at his feet. PHILIP sits as if stunned. BEATRICE stands, surveying them.

Pause. BEATRICE rings the alarm bell--KATE springs to her feet.

Re-enter SIR PETER, R.I.D. KATE goes up to C., PHILIP rises and goes L. Lights worked up imperceptibly_)

SIR P. Who rang the bell? (_crosses to R. of table_)

_Re-enter LORD NORMANTOWER, R.I.D._

BEA. _I_ rang!

NOR. (R.C.) What is the matter?

BEA. Sir Peter, you were right. This girl is poisoning my husband.

(_comes down to C._)

PHIL. Beatrice! (_goes to fire, and leans on mantel_)

KATE. Oh!

SIR P. Let Mrs. Selwyn speak. (_calmly tests the medicine by finger and gets to back to table, placing gla.s.s down there_)

BEA. You asked me to watch, and I have watched. I found her hidden here. My husband was about to drink this stuff----

PHIL. When she prevented me----