Delphi Complete Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Illustrated) (1069 page)

HOLMES
(
nods assent
): They’re coming here.

(
Pause.
WATSON
looking at
HOLMES
.)

WATSON
: Here!

HOLMES
: That is — if you will be so good as to permit it.

WATSON
Certainly — but why not there?

HOLMES
: The police wouldn’t allow us inside the ropes.

WATSON
: Police! Ropes!

HOLMES
: Police — ropes — ladders — hose — crowds — engines —

WATSON
: Why, you don’t mean that —

HOLMES
(
nods
): Quite so — the devils have burned me out.

WATSON
: Good heavens — burned you —

(
Pause.
HOLMES
nods
.)

Oh, that’s too bad. What did you lose?

HOLMES
: Everything! — everything! I’m so glad of it! I’ve had enough. This one thing — (
right hand strong gesture of emphasis — he stops in midst of sentence — a frown upon his face as he thinks — then in a lower voice
) — ends it! This one thing — that I shall do — here in a few moments — is the finish. (
HOLMES
rises
.)

WATSON
: You mean — Miss Faulkner?

(
HOLMES
nods slightly in affirmative without turning to
WATSON
.)

(
Love music. Very pp
.)

HOLMES
(
turning suddenly to
WATSON
): Watson — she trusted me! She — clung to me! There were four to one against me! They said “Come here,” I said “Stay close to me,” and she did! She clung to me — I could feel her heart beating against mine — and I was playing a game! — (
lower — parenthetical
) — a dangerous game — but I was playing it! — It will be the same to-night! She’ll be there — I’ll be here! She’ll listen — she’ll believe — and she’ll trust me — and I’ll — be playing — a game. No more — I’ve had enough! It’s my last case! 

(
WATSON
has been watching him narrowly
.)

Oh well! what does it matter? Life is a small affair at the most — a little while — a few sunrises and sunsets — the warm breath of a few summers — the cold chill of a few winters — (
Looking down on floor a little way before him in meditation.
) And then — (
Pause
.)

WATSON
: And then — ?

(
HOLMES
glances up at him. Upward toss of hand before speaking
.)

HOLMES
: And then.

(
The music stops
.)

WATSON
(
going to
HOLMES
): My dear Holmes — I’m afraid that plan of — gaining her confidence and regard went a little further than you intended —

(
HOLMES
nods assent slightly
)

HOLMES
(
mutters after nodding
): A trifle!

WATSON
: For — her — or for you?

HOLMES
: For her — (
looks up at
WATSON
slowly
) — and for me.

WATSON
(
astonished. After an instant’s pause
): But — if you both love each other —

HOLMES
(
putting hand on
WATSON
to stop him sharply
): Sh — ! Don’t say it! (
Pause
.) You mustn’t tempt me — with such a thought. That girl! — young — exquisite — just beginning her sweet life — I — seared, drugged, poisoned, almost at an end! No! no! I must cure her! I must stop it, now — while there’s time! (
Pause
.) She’s coming here.

WATSON
: She won’t come alone?

HOLMES
: No, Térèse will be with her.

(
HOLMES
turns and goes to door to surgery, getting a book on the way, and placing it in the way of door closing. Turns to
WATSON
)

When she comes let her wait in that room. You can manage that, I’m quite sure.

WATSON
: Certainly — Do you intend to leave that book there 

HOLMES
(
nods “Yes”
): To keep that door from closing. She is to overhear.

WATSON
: I see.

HOLMES
: Sir Edward and the Count are very likely to become  excited. I shall endeavour to make them so. You must not be alarmed old fellow. 

(
Bell of outside door rings off
HOLMES
and
WATSON
look at one another
.)

(
Going to centre door
.) She may be there now. I’ll go to your dressing-room, if you’ll allow me, and brush away some of this dust.

WATSON
: By all means! (
Goes to door.
) My wife is in the drawing-room. Do look in on her a moment — it will please her so much.

HOLMES
(
at door
): My dear fellow, it will more than please me! (
Opens door. Piano heard off when the door is opened
.) Mrs. Watson! Home! Love! Life! Ah, Watson! (
Eyes glance about thinking. He sighs a little absently, suddenly turns and goes out.
)

(
WATSON
turns and goes to his desk — not to sit. Enter
PARSONS
.)

PARSONS
: A lady sir, wants to know if she can speak to you. If there’s anyone ‘ere she won’t come in.

WATSON
: Any-name?

PARSONS
: No, sir. I asked her and she said it was unnecessary — as you wouldn’t know ‘er. She ‘as ‘er maid with ‘er, sir.

WATSON
: Then it must be — Show her in.

(
PARSONS
turns to go
.)

And Parsons — (
PARSONS
stops and turns
.)

(
Lower voice.
) Two gentlemen, Count von Stalburg and Sir Edward Leighton will call. Bring them here to this room at once, and then tell Mr. Holmes. You’ll find him in my dressing-room.

PARSONS
: Yes, sir.

WATSON
: Send everybody else away — I’ll see that lady.

PARSONS
: Yes, sir.

(
He goes, leaving door open. Brief pause.
PARSONS
appears outside door, showing some one to the room. Enter
ALICE FAULKNER
.
ALICE
glances apprehensively about, fearing she will see
HOLMES
. Seeing that
WATSON
is alone, she is much relieved and goes towards him.
PARSONS
closes door from outside
.)

ALICE
(
with some timidity
): Is this — is this Doctor Watson’s room?

WATSON
(
encouragingly — and advancing a step or two
): Yes, and I am Doctor Watson.

ALICE
: Is — would you mind telling me if Mr. Holmes — Mr. — Sherlock Holmes — is here?

WATSON
: He will be before long, Miss — er —

ALICE
: My name is Alice Faulkner.

WATSON
: Miss Faulkner. He came a short time ago, but has gone upstairs for a few moments.

ALICE
: Oh! — (
with an apprehensive look
) — and is he coming down — soon?

WATSON
:  Well the fact is Miss Faulkner he has an appointment with two gentlemen here and I was to let him know as soon as they arrived.

ALICE
: Do you suppose I could wait — without troubling you too much — and see him — afterwards?

WATSON
: Why certainly.

ALICE
: Thank you — and I — I don’t want him to know — that — I — that I came.

WATSON
: Of course, if you wish, there’s no need of my telling him.

ALICE
: It’s — very important indeed that you don’t, Dr Watson. I can explain it all to you afterwards.

WATSON
: No explanation is necessary Miss Faulkner. 

ALICE
: Thank you (
Glances about
) I suppose there is a waiting room for patients?

WATSON
: Yes or you could sit in there (
Indicating surgery door
) You’ll be less likely to be disturbed.

ALICE
: Yes, thank you. (
ALICE
glances toward door.
) I think I would rather be — where its entirely quiet.

(
Bell of front door outside rings
)

WATSON
(
going to surgery door
): Then step this way. I think the gentlemen have arrived.

ALICE
(
goes to door and turns
): And when the business between the gentlemen is over would you please have some one tell me?

WATSON
: I’ll tell you myself Miss Faulkner.

ALICE
: Thank you (
She goes
)

(
PARSONS
enters
)

PARSONS: Count von Stalburg. Sir Edward Leighton.

(
Enter
SIR EDWARD
and
COUNT VON STALBURG. PARSONS
goes, closing door after him
)

WATSON
: Count — Sir Edward — (
Bowing and coming forward
)

SIR EDWARD
: Dr Watson (
Bows
) Good evening (
Placing hat on pedestal
.)

(
VON STALBURG
bows slightly and stands
)

Our appointment with Mr. Holmes was changed to your house, I believe

WATSON
: Quite right, Sir Edward. Pray be seated, gentlemen.

(
SIR EDWARD
and
WATSON
sit
.)

VON STALBURG
: Mr. Holmes is a trifle late. (
Sits
.)

WATSON
: He has already arrived, Count. I have sent for him.

VON STALBURG
: Ugh!

(
Slight pause
.)

SIR EDWARD
: It was quite a surprise to receive his message an hour ago changing the place of meeting. We should otherwise have gone to his house in Baker Street.

WATSON
: You would have found it in ashes, Sir Edward.

SIR EDWARD
: What! Really!

VON STALBURG
: Ugh!

(
Both looking at
WATSON
.)

SIR EDWARD
: The — the house burnt!

WATSON
: Burning now, probably.

SIR EDWARD
: I’m very sorry to hear this. It must be a severe blow to him.

WATSON
: No, he minds it very little.

SIR EDWARD
(
surprised
): Really! I should hardly have thought it.