The Mousetrap

SIRWILFRID. She’s a foreigner, too. Nine out of the twelve in a jury box believe a foreigner is lying anyway. She’ll be emotional and upset, and won’t understand what the prosecuting counsel says to her. Still, we shall have to interview her. You’ll see, she’ll have hysterics all over my Chambers.

MAYHEW. Perhaps you’d prefer not to accept the brief.

SIRWILFRID. Who says I won’t accept it? Just because I point out that the boy has an absolute tomfool story to tell.

MAYHEW. (Crossing and handing the tobacco jar toSIRWILFRID) But a true one.

SIRWILFRID. (Replacing the jar on the mantelpiece) It must be a true one. It couldn’t be so idiotic if it wasn’t true. Put all the facts down in black and white and the whole thing is utterly damning.

(MAYHEW feels in his pockets for matches.)

And yet, when you talk to the boy, and he blurts out these damning facts, you realize that the whole thing could happen just as he said. Damn it, I had the equivalent of an Aunt Betsy myself. I loved her dearly.

MAYHEW. He’s got a good personality, I think. Sympathetic.

SIRWILFRID. (Taking a matchbox from his pocket and handing it toMAYHEW) Yes, he ought to go down well with the jury. That cuts no ice with the Judge, though. And he’s the simple sort of chap who may get rattled easily in the box.

(MAYHEW finds that the box is empty and throws it in the wastepaper basket.)

A lot depends on this girl.

(There is a KNOCK at the door.)

(He calls.) Come in.

(GRETA enters. She is excited and a little scared. She closes the door.)

Yes, Greta, what is it?

GRETA. (In a whisper.) Mrs. Leonard Vole is here.

MAYHEW. Mrs. Vole.

SIRWILFRID. Come here. You saw that young man? He’s been arrested for murder.

GRETA. (Crossing toL. ofSIRWILFRID) I know. Isn’t it exciting?

SIRWILFRID. Do you think he did it?

GRETA. Oh no, sir, I’m sure he didn’t.

SIRWILFRID. Oh, why not?

GRETA. He’s far too nice.

SIRWILFRID. (ToMAYHEW) That makes three of us. (ToGRETA.) Bring Mrs. Vole in.

(GRETA crosses and exits.)

And we’re probably three credulous fools—(He crosses to the chair L. of the desk.) taken in by a young man with a pleasing personality. (He sets the chair in readiness for ROMAINE.)

CARTER. (Enters and stands to one side. Announcing) Mrs. Vole.

(ROMAINE enters. She is a foreign woman of great personality, but very quiet. Her voice has a strangely ironic inflection.)

MAYHEW. (Crossing toR. ofROMAINE) My dear Mrs. Vole. (He goes towards her with a great air of sympathy, but is slightly rebuffed by her personality.)

(CARTER exits, closing the door behind him.)

ROMAINE. Ah! You are Mr. Mayhew.

MAYHEW. Yes. This is Sir Wilfrid Robarts, who has agreed to handle your husband’s case for him.

ROMAINE. (Crossing toC.) How do you do, Sir Wilfrid?

SIRWILFRID. How do you do?

ROMAINE. I have just come from your office, Mr. Mayhew. They told me you were here with my husband.

SIRWILFRID. Quite, quite.

ROMAINE. Just as I arrived I thought I saw Leonard getting into a car. There were two men with him.

SIRWILFRID. Now, my dear Mrs. Vole, you must not upset yourself.

(ROMAINE is not in the least upset.)

(He is slightly disconcerted.) Won’t you sit down, here?

ROMAINE. Thank you. (She sits in the chairL. of the desk.)

SIRWILFRID. (Moving above the desk toR. of it) There is nothing to be alarmed about as yet, and you must not give way. (He moves below the desk.)

ROMAINE. (After a pause.) Oh, no, I shall not give way.

SIRWILFRID. Then let me tell you that, as perhaps you already suspect, your husband has just been arrested.

ROMAINE. For the murder of Miss Emily French?

SIRWILFRID. I’m afraid so, yes. But please don’t be upset.

ROMAINE. You keep saying that, Sir Wilfrid, but I am not upset.

SIRWILFRID. No. No, I see you have great fortitude.

ROMAINE. You can call it that if you like.