Complete Works of Wilkie Collins (2061 page)

MISS G.

Is it done?

DR. D.

Not yet. (
He unlocks the chest, and takes out a chemical bottle, then produces another bottle of the size and shape of a double smelling-bottle, but larger, fills it at both ends from the chemical bottle, which he locks up again in the chest, and addresses
MISS G.) You still insist?

MISS G.

I still insist.

DR. D. (
giving
MISS G.
the bottle
).

You see the glass funnel at the mouth of the jar.

MISS G.

I see it.

DR. D.

You see four divisions marked on the bottle that you have in your hand?

MISS G.

Yes.

DR. D.

Four separate pourings into the funnel, at intervals of five minutes each, and, if Armadale sleeps in that room, Armadale dies at the fourth pouring.

MISS G.

Suddenly?

DR. D.

Slowly. And if the doctors examine him after death, all they can discover is that he has died of apoplexy or of congestion of the lungs.

MISS G.

What if he wakes?

DR. D.

If he wakes he sees nothing, he smells nothing, he feels nothing but a sense of oppression and a desire to sleep again. Are you satisfied?

MISS G.

I am satisfied.

DR. D. (
closing the top of the pedestal, and putting the vase of flowers back on it
).

Retire at once, before Armadale comes in. (FRANCIS
enters hurriedly.
) What do you want?

FRANCIS.

I beg your pardon, Sir. There is a stranger at the garden gate.

(MISS G.
starts, and looks at the
DR.)

DR. D. (
to
FRANCIS).

Have you let the person in?

FRANCIS

No, Sir. But Mr. Armadale —
 
—

DR. D.

Has Mr. Armadale seen him?

FRANCIS.

Mr. Armadale is talking to him through the rails of the gate.

DR. D. (
resignedly
).

Let the gentleman in.

(FRANCIS
goes out.
)

MISS G. (
in sudden terror
).

My husband?

DR. D.

Your husband. There is no help for it. We must either rouse Armadale’s suspicion, or open the gate. Run upstairs again before they come here. Quick, or your husband will see you!

MISS G. (
resolutely
).

One word first. Come what may of my husband surprising us, if you hurt a hair of his head —
 
—

DR. D.

What! Fond of him still?

MISS G.

If you hurt a hair of his head —
 
—

DR. D.

Trust me to run no risks. He shall go out as safely as he came in. (
He opens the drawing-room door.
MISS G.
hurries out. The
DR.
returns to the front.
) Where is the way out of it
now?
If I put Midwinter’s safety in peril there’s no knowing what his wife’s frenzy may do. If I leave him to act as he pleases, I leave him to snatch Armadale’s life out of my hands!

(
Enter
ALLAN
and
MIDWINTER,
arm in arm.

ALLAN.

Here we are, Doctor! Midwinter owes you every apology for this late visit; and I owe you a world of thanks for letting him in, because he is my friend.

DR. D. (
politely
).

What is the object of Mr. Midwinter’s visit?

MID.

My object is to remove Mr. Armadale instantly from your house.

ALLAN (
aside to
DR. D.).

Don’t notice what he says. Something seems to have upset him — he’s out of sorts.

DR. D. (
to
MIDWINTER).

Just as you please, Sir. The decision rests with Mr. Armadale, not with me. (
He retires, and seats himself at the back, watching
ALLAN
and
MID.)

ALLAN (
to
MID.).

I told you you would find it all right, if you only saw the doctor yourself!

MID.

And
I
told
you
that the doctor’s word was not to be relied on.

ALLAN.

Hush! hush! he may hear you.

MID.

He has lied in telling you Miss Milroy is here. He has some underhand motive for getting you into the house.

ALLAN.

How can you talk so! He has received you, just as he received me, in the friendliest manner.

(
Enter
FRANCIS.)

FRANCIS (
to
MID.).

The cabman wishes to know, Sir, if he is to wait?

DR. D. (
rising, and coming forward
).

Well, Mr. Armadale, do you go with your friend?

ALLAN.

Go all the way back to London? and then come all the way back here, before six to-morrow? No, no, doctor; I am not quite so foolish as that!

MID. (
giving money to
FRANCIS).

There is the cabman’s money. He may go.

DR. D.

Without you?

MID.

Without me. (
The
DOCTOR
and
ALLAN
both start.
MID.
proceeds with bitter irony.
) You are a medical man. Perhaps you can tell me if my troubles have affected my mind? I mean to stay here to-night with my friend, and I don’t expect you to raise the smallest objection to it. Am I labouring under an insane delusion, Dr. Downward?

DR. D. (
with a low bow, making the best of it
).

You are welcome to the Sanatorium, Mr. Midwinter. Stay here with your friend by all means.

(
He turns to go out.
ALLAN
follows and speaks to him.
)

ALLAN.

Doctor, I am really ashamed —
 
—

DR. D.

Don’t mention it! (
He touches his forehead.
) Your friend’s case is worth studying.

ALLAN (
alarmed
).

You don’t mean it!

DR. D.

I do! Excuse me for one moment. I must tell the servant that your friend sleeps here.

(
He goes out.
)

MID.

Allan! (ALLAN
returns to him.
) Will you consent to put my opinion of Dr. Downward and your opinion to a plain test? Where is your bedroom?

ALLAN (
pointing to No. 1
).

There.

MID. (
crossing to the opposite door
).

Is this a bedroom?

ALLAN.

An empty bedroom. I had my choice of that or the other.

MID.

An empty bedroom. Now, mark my words! When Dr. Downward comes back, you will find that my room is in another part of the house, and you will hear the Doctor make some excuse to prevent me from sleeping there.

(
He points to No. 2.
)

ALLAN (
aside
).

Oh, dear! oh, dear!

(
Enter
DR. D.)

DR. D.

Your room will be ready in ten minutes, Mr. Midwinter.

MID.

Where do I sleep?

DR. D.

On the other side of the house.

MID. (
to
ALLAN).

What did I tell you?

DR. D. (
aside, observing
MID.).

I have made a false move!

MID. (
opening the door of No. 2
).

Why on the other side of the house, when there is an empty room here?

DR. D. (
aside
)

I see!

MID.

You had forgotten this room, I suppose?

DR. D.

Totally!

MID.

I wish to sleep here, opposite my friend.

DR. D. (
with a bow
).

Sleep there by all means! I have not the shadow of an objection to it.

ALLAN (
ironically to
MID.)

Still doubtful of the Doctor?

MID. (
turning away
).

No. Sure of him now!

DR. D.

Can I offer you any refreshment, gentlemen? No? I will ring for the servant then. (
He rings.
FRANCIS
enters.
) Light the candles, Francis, in No. 1 and No. 2. (FRANCIS
enters No. 1, and lights the gas candle on the table. The
DOCTOR
continues.
) Francis will take your instructions, gentlemen, for calling you in the morning.

(DR. D.
retires to the back of the drawing-room.
ALLAN
addresses
FRANCIS
as he comes out of the door of No. 1.
)

ALLAN (
to
FRANCIS).

Is it your business to call us in the morning?