The Mousetrap

MYERS. (Rising) In my respectful submission, my lord, the course my friend proposes is, save in exceptional circumstances, quite unprecedented. And what, may I ask, is this startling new evidence of which Sir Wilfrid speaks?

SIRWILFRID. (Rising) Letters, my lord. Letters from Romaine Heilger.

JUDGE. I should like to see these letters to which you refer, Sir Wilfrid.

(SIR WILFRID and MYERS sit. The USHER rises, crosses to SIR WILFRID, collects the letters, passes them to the CLERK, who hands them to the JUDGE. The JUDGE studies the letters. The USHER resumes his seat.)

MYERS. (Rising) My friend was good enough to tell me only as we came into Court that he intended to make this submission, so that I have had no opportunity to examine the authorities. But I seem to remember a case in, I think, nineteen thirty, the King against Porter, I believe . . .

JUDGE. No, Mr. Myers, the King against Potter, and it was reported in nineteen thirty-one. I appeared for the prosecution.

MYERS. And if my memory serves me well, your lordship’s similar objection was sustained.

JUDGE. Your memory for once serves you ill, Mr. Myers. My objection then was overruled by Mr. Justice Swindon—as yours is now, by me.

(MYERS sits.)

SIRWILFRID. (Rising) Call Romaine Heilger.

USHER. (Rises and moves downC.) Romaine Heilger.

POLICEMAN. (Opens the door. Calling) Romaine Heilger.

JUDGE. If these letters are authentic it raises very serious issues. (He hands the letters to theCLERK.)

(The CLERK hands the letters to the USHER, who returns them to SIR WILFRID. During the slight wait that ensues, LEONARD is very agitated. He speaks to the WARDER, then puts his hands to his face. The USHER sits on the stool R. of the table. MAYHEW rises, speaks to LEONARD and calms him down. LEONARD shakes his head and looks upset and worried. ROMAINE enters up L., crosses and enters the witness box. The POLICEMAN closes the door.)

SIRWILFRID. Mrs. Heilger, you appreciate that you are still on your oath?

ROMAINE. Yes.

JUDGE. Romaine Heilger, you are recalled to this box so that Sir Wilfrid may ask you further questions.

SIRWILFRID. Mrs. Heilger, do you know a certain man whose Christian name is Max?

ROMAINE. (Starts violently at the mention of the name.) I don’t know what you mean.

SIRWILFRID. (Pleasantly.) And yet it’s a very simple question. Do you or do you not know a man called Max?

ROMAINE. Certainly not.

SIRWILFRID. You’re quite sure of that?

ROMAINE. I’ve never known anyone called Max. Never.

SIRWILFRID. And yet I believe it’s a fairly common Christian name, or contraction of a name, in your country. You mean that you have never known anyone of that name?

ROMAINE. (Doubtfully.) Oh, in Germany—yes—perhaps, I do not remember. It is a long time ago.

SIRWILFRID. I shall not ask you to throw your mind back such a long way as that. A few weeks will suffice. Let us say—(He picks up one of the letters and unfolds it, making rather a parade of it.) the seventeenth of October last.

ROMAINE. (Startled.) What have you got there?

SIRWILFRID. A letter.

ROMAINE. I don’t know what you’re talking about.

SIRWILFRID. I’m talking about a letter. A letter written on the seventeenth of October. You remember that date, perhaps.

ROMAINE. Not particularly, why?

SIRWILFRID. I suggest that on that day, you wrote a certain letter—a letter addressed to a man called Max.

ROMAINE. I did nothing of the kind. These are lies that you are telling. I don’t know what you mean.

SIRWILFRID. That letter was one of a series written to the same man over a considerable period of time.

ROMAINE. (Agitated.) Lies—all lies!

SIRWILFRID. You would seem to have been on—(Significantly.) intimate terms with this man.

LEONARD. (Rising) How dare you say a thing like that?

(The WARDER rises and attempts to restrain LEONARD.)

(He waves the WARDER aside.) It isn’t true!