Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour

Dick

Frankly I do… I suppose we're going to fight again?

Alec

Like Kilkenny cats.

Dick

[Briskly.] Well, at all events that's some comfort. If I am going to be done out of my night's rest, I should like to take it out of some one.

Alec

If things turn out all right, we shall have come near finishing the job, and there won't be much more slave-raiding in this part of Africa.

Dick

And if things don't turn out all right?

Alec

Why, then I'm afraid the tea-tables of Mayfair will be deprived of your scintillating repartee forever.

Dick

Well, I've had a very good time in my life. I've loved a little, I've looked at some good pictures, read some thundering fine books, and I've worked and played. If I can only account for a few more of those damned scoundrels before I die, I shouldn't think I had much to complain of.

Alec

[Smiling.] You're a philosopher, Dick.

Dick

Doesn't the possibility of an extremely unpleasant demise tempt you to a few appropriate reflections?

Alec

I don't know that it does. I'm a bit of a fatalist, and my theory is that when my time comes nothing can help me, but at the bottom of my heart I can't resist the conviction that I shan't die till I let myself.

Doctor

Well, I must go and put things in order. I'll bandage those fellows up, and I hope they'll stand the jolting.

Alec

What about Perkins?

Doctor

Lord knows! I'll try and keep him quiet with chloral.

Alec

You needn't say anything about striking camp. I don't propose that any one should know till a quarter of an hour before we start.

Doctor

But that won't give them time.

Alec

It must. I've trained them often enough to get on the march quickly.

Doctor

Very well.

[George Allerton comes in as the Doctor is on the point of going.George

Can I come in?

Alec

Yes … Doctor!

Doctor

Hulloa!

Alec

You might stay a minute, will you?

Doctor

[Coming back.] Certainly.

Alec

Didn't Selim tell you that I wanted to speak to you?

George

That's why I've come.

Alec

You've taken your time about it.

George

I say, could you give me a drink of brandy? I'm awfully done up.

Alec

[Shortly.] There's no brandy left.

George

Hasn't the doctor got some?

Alec

No!

[There is a pause. Alec looks at him slowly.George

Why are you all looking at me like that? You look as if you were going to try me for something.

Dick

Nonsense! Don't be so nervous.

Alec

[Abruptly.] Do you know anything about the death of that Turkana woman?

George

No! How should I?

Alec

Come now, you must know something about it. Last Tuesday you came into camp and told me the Turkana were very excited.

George

[Unwillingly.] Oh, yes! I remember something about it. It had slipped my memory.

Alec

Well?

George

I'm not very clear about it. The woman had been shot, hadn't she? One of our station boys had been playing the fool with her, and he seems to have shot her.

Alec

Have you made no inquiries as to who the man was?

George

[In a surly way.] I haven't had time. We've all been worked off our legs during these three days.

Alec

Do you suspect no one?

George

I don't think so.

Alec

Think a moment.

George

The only man who might have done it is that big scoundrel whom we got on the coast, the Swahili.

Alec

What makes you think that?

George

He's been making an awful nuisance of himself, and I know he was running after her.

Alec

I understand she complained about him to you?

George

Yes.

Alec

Do you think that would be enough evidence to punish him on?

George

He's a thorough blackguard, and after all, if one does make a mistake, he's only a nigger.

Alec

You'll be surprised to hear that when the woman was found she wasn't dead.

[George gives a movement of consternation.Alec

She didn't die for nearly an hour.

George

[After a short pause.] Was she able to say anything?

Alec

She accused you of having shot her.

George

Me?

Alec

It appears that you were playing the fool with her, and when she got angry you took out a revolver and fired point blank. Presumably that she should tell no tales.

George

It's a stupid lie. You know what they are. It's just like them to tell an absurd lie like that. You wouldn't believe a parcel of niggers rather than me, would you? After all, my word's worth more than theirs.

Alec

[Taking from his pocket an exploded cartridge.] This was found about two yards from the body. As you see, it's a revolver cartridge. It was brought to me this evening.

George

I don't know what that proves.

Alec

You know just as well as I do that none of our natives has a revolver. Besides ourselves only two or three of the servants have them.

[George becomes white with fear, he takes out his handkerchief and wipes his face.Alec

[Quietly.] Will you give me your revolver?

George

I haven't got it. I lost it in the skirmish this afternoon. I didn't tell you as I thought you'd be annoyed.

Alec

I saw you cleaning it less than an hour ago.

George

[With a shrug of the shoulders.] Perhaps it's in my tent, I'll go and see.

Alec

[Sharply.] Stop here.

George

[Angrily.] You've no right to talk to me like that. I'm sick to death of being ordered about. You seem to think I'm a dog. I came out here of my own free will, and I won't let you treat me as if I were a servant.

Alec

If you put your hand to your hip pocket, I think you'll find your revolver there.

George

I'm not going to give it to you.

Alec

[Quietly.] D'you want me to come and take it from you myself?

[The two men stare at one another for a moment. Then George slowly puts his hand to his pocket. He lakes out the revolver and suddenly aims at Alec. Dick beats up his arm as he fires, and the Doctor, springing forward, seizes him round the waist. Alec remains still.Dick

[During the struggle.] You young blackguard!

George

Let me go, damn you!

Alec

You need not hold him.

[They leave go of George, who sinks cowering into a chair. Dick hands the revolver to Alec. He silently fits into a chamber the cartridge that had been brought to him.Alec

You see that it fits. Hadn't you better make a clean breast of it?

George

[Cowed.] Yes, I shot her. She made a row, and the devil got into me. I didn't know I'd done anything till she screamed and I saw the blood… What a fool I was to throw the cartridge away! I wanted to have all the chambers charged.

Alec

Do you remember that two months ago I hanged a man to the nearest tree because he'd outraged a native woman?

George

[Springing up in terror.] You wouldn't do that to me, Alec. Oh, God, no, Alec, have mercy on me. You wouldn't hang me. Oh, why did I ever come to this damned place?

Alec

You need not be afraid. I'm not going to do that. In any case I must preserve the native respect for the white man.

George

I was half drunk when I saw that woman. I wasn't responsible for my actions.

Alec

The result is that the whole tribe has turned against us. The chief is my friend, and he sent a message to tell me he couldn't hold them in. It's from him I got the cartridge. It wouldn't be so serious, only the best fighting part of our forces are the Turkana, and we must expect treachery. They've stirred up the neighbouring tribes against us, and all the work we've been doing for a year is undone. That's the explanation of the Arabs' attack three days ago.

George

[Sullenly.] I knew it was all my fault.

Alec

The natives have made up their minds to join the slave-traders, and we shall be attacked on all sides to-morrow. We can't hold out against God knows how many thousands.

George

D'you mean you'll all be killed?

Alec

If we remain here there's no escape.

George

[In a whisper.] What are you going to do to me, Alec?

[Alec walks up and down the tent.Alec

[Presently.] I think you might go and see your patients now, doctor.

Doctor

Very well.

Dick

Shall I go too, Alec?

Alec

No, you can stay here. But don't open your mouth till you're spoken to.

[The Doctor goes out.

George

I'm sorry I did that silly thing just now. I'm glad I didn't hit you.

Alec

It doesn't matter at all. I'd forgotten all about it.

George

I lost my head, I didn't know what I was doing.

Alec

You need not trouble about that. In Africa even the strongest people are apt to get excited and lose their balance.

[Alec re-lights his pipe, and there its a very short pause.

Alec

Did you ever know that before we came away I asked Lucy to marry me?

George

I knew you cared for her.

Alec

She asked me to bring you here in the hope that you would regain the good name of your family. I think that is the object she has most at heart in the world. It's as great as her love for you. The plan hasn't been much of a success, has it?

George

She ought to have known that I wasn't suited for this kind of life.

Alec

I saw very soon that you were weak and irresolute. But I hoped to make something of you. Your intentions seemed good enough, but you never had the strength to carry them out… I'm sorry if I seem to be preaching to you.

George

[Bitterly.] Oh, d'you think I care what any one says to me now?

Alec

[Gravely, but not unkindly.] Then I found you were drinking. I told you that no man could stand liquor in this country, and you gave me your word of honour that you wouldn't touch it again.

George

Yes, I broke it. I couldn't help it; the temptation was too strong.

Alec

When we came to the station at Muneas you and Macinnery got blind drunk, and the whole camp saw you. I ought to have sent you back to the coast then, but it would have broken Lucy's heart.

George

It was Macinnery's fault.

Alec

It's because I thought he was to blame that I sent him back alone. I wanted to give you another chance. It struck me that the feeling of authority might have some influence on you, and so when we came to the lake I left you to guard the ferry. I put the chief part of the stores in your care and marched on. I needn't remind you what happened then.

[George looks down sulkily, and in default of excuses keeps silent.

Alec

I came to the conclusion that it was hopeless. You seemed to me rotten through and through.

George

[With a little laugh.] Like my father before me.

Alec

I couldn't believe a word you said. You did everything you shouldn't have done. The result was that the men mutinied, and if I hadn't come back in the nick of time they'd have killed you and looted all the stores.

George

You always blame me for everything. A man's not responsible for what he does when he's down with fever.

Alec

It was too late to send you back to the coast then, and I was obliged to take you on. And now the end has come. Your murder of that woman has put us all in deadly peril. Already to your charge lie the deaths of Richardson and almost twenty natives. Tribes that were friendly have joined with the Arabs, and we're as near destruction as we can possibly be.

George

What are you going to do?

Alec

We're far away from the coast, and I must take the law into my own hands.

George

[With a gasp.] You're not going to kill me?

Alec

Are you fond of Lucy?

George

[Brokenly.] You – you know I am. Why d'you remind me of her now? I've made a rotten mess of everything, and I'm better out of the way. But think of the disgrace of it. It'll kill Lucy… And she was hoping I'd do so much.

Alec

Listen to me. Our only chance of escaping from the confounded fix we're in is to make a sudden attack on the Arabs before the natives join them. We shall be enormously outnumbered, but we may just smash them if we can strike to-night. My plan is to start marching as if I didn't know that the Turkana were going to turn against us. After an hour all the whites but one, and the Swahilis whom I can trust implicitly, will take a short cut. The Arabs will have had news of our starting, and they'll try to cut us off at the pass. I shall fall on them just as they begin to attack. D'you understand?

George

Yes.

Alec

Now I must have one white man to head the Turkana, and that man will run the greatest possible danger. I'd go myself, only the Swahilis won't fight unless I lead them… Are you willing to take that post?

George

I?

Alec

I could order you, but the job's too dangerous for me to force it on any one. If you refuse, I shall call the others together and ask some one to volunteer. In that case you will have to find your way back alone as best you can to the coast.

George

No, no! Anything rather than the shame of that.

Alec

I won't hide from you that it means almost certain death. But there's no other way of saving ourselves. On the other hand, if you show perfect courage at the moment the Arabs attack and the Turkana find that we've given them the slip, you may escape. If you do, I promise nothing shall be said of all that has happened here.

George

All right. I'll do that. And I thank you with all my heart for giving me the chance.

Alec

I'm glad you've accepted. Whatever happens you'll have done a brave action in your life. [He holds out his hand to George, who takes it.] I think there's nothing more to be said. You must be ready to start in half an hour. Here's your revolver. Remember that one chamber's empty. You'd better put in another cartridge.

George

Yes, I'll do that.

[He goes out.Dick

D'you think he has any chance of escaping?

Alec

If he has pluck he may get through.

Dick

Well!

Alec

To-morrow we shall know if he has that last virtue of a blackguard – courage.

Dick

And if he hasn't, it's death you're sending him to?

Alec

Yes. It's death!

END OF THE SECOND ACT

THE THIRD ACT

Scene: A smoking-room at Lady Kelsey's, leading by an archway into a drawing-room at the back. On the right is a glass door which leads into the garden. On one side is a sofa; on the other a table with cigarettes, matches, whiskey, sodas, etc.

Lady Kelsey is giving a dance, and the music of the Lancers is heard vaguely from the ball-room as the curtain rises. Mrs. Crowley and Sir Robert Boulger are sitting down. Lady Kelsey comes in with the Rev. James Carbery.

Lady Kelsey

Oh, you wretched people, why aren't you dancing? It's too bad of you to hide yourselves here!

Mrs. Crowley

We thought no one would find us in the smoking-room. But why have you abandoned your guests, Lady Kelsey?

Lady Kelsey

Oh, I've got them all comfortably settled in the Lancers, and I'm free to rest myself for a quarter of an hour. You don't know what agonies I've been suffering the whole evening.

Mrs. Crowley

Good gracious me! Why?

Lady Kelsey

I'm so afraid Alec Mackenzie will come.

Boulger

You needn't worry about that, Aunt Alice. He'll never venture to show his face.

Lady Kelsey

I didn't know what to do. It was impossible to put the dance off. It's too dreadful that these horrible revelations should…

Carbery

[Supplying the word.] Transpire.

Lady Kelsey

Yes, transpire on the very day I've at last persuaded Lucy to come into the world again. I wish Dick would come.

Boulger

Yes, he'll be able to tell us something.

Mrs. Crowley

But will he?

Carbery

Wherever I go people are talking about Mr. Mackenzie, and I'm bound to say I've found nobody who has a good word for him.

Boulger

[Bitterly.] Humpty-dumpty's had a great fall.

Carbery

I wonder if I might have a cigarette?

Mrs. Crowley

I'm sure you might. And if you press me dreadfully, I'll have one, too.

Boulger

Don't press her. She's already had far too many.

Mrs. Crowley

Well, I'll forego the pressing, but not the cigarette.

Carbery

[Handing her the box and giving her a light.] It's against all my principles, you know.

Mrs. Crowley

What is the use of principles except to give one an agreeable sensation of wickedness when one doesn't act up to them?

[Dick comes in as she speaks.

Dick

My dear lady, you're as epigrammatic as a dramatist. Do you say such things from choice or necessity?

Lady Kelsey

Dick!

Boulger

Dick!

Mrs. Crowley

Mr. Lomas!

Carbery

Ah!

[The four exclamations are simultaneous.

Dick

This enthusiasm at my appearance is no less gratifying than unexpected.

Lady Kelsey

I'm so glad you've come at last. Now we shall get at the truth.

Boulger

[Impatiently.] Well?

Dick

My dear people, what are you talking about?

Boulger

Oh, don't be such an ass!

Mrs. Crowley

Good heavens, didn't you read the Times this morning?

Dick

I only came back from Paris to-night. Besides, I never read the papers except in August.

Mrs. Crowley

[Raising her eyebrows.] When there's nothing in them?

Dick

Pardon me, I'm an eager student of the sea-serpent and the giant gooseberry.

Lady Kelsey

My dear Dick, it's too shocking. I wish I'd had the courage to write and ask Mr. Mackenzie not to come. But since you both came back from Africa a month ago he's been here nearly every day. And he's been so good and kind to us, I couldn't treat him as though there was no doubt the story was true.

Boulger

There can't be the least doubt about it. By George, I should like to kick him.

Dick

[Dryly.] My dear chap, Alec is a hardy Scot and bigger than you, so I shouldn't advise you to try.

Boulger

I was engaged to dine with him to-night, but I wired to say I had a headache.

Lady Kelsey

What will he think if he sees you here?

Boulger

He can think what he jolly well likes.

Lady Kelsey

I hope he has the sense to stay away.

Carbery

I think you're pretty safe now, Lady Kelsey. It's growing late.

Dick

Will some one kindly explain?

Mrs. Crowley

D'you mean to say you really don't know – seriously? After all, you were with him.

Lady Kelsey

My dear Dick, there are two columns of fiery denunciation in this morning's Times.

[Dick is a little startled, but at once collects himself.

Dick

Oh, that's only the reaction. That's nothing. Since he arrived in Mombassa, after three years in the heart of Africa, he's made almost a triumphal progress. Of course, it couldn't last. The reaction was bound to come.

Boulger

[Looking at him steadily.] The article is signed by a man named Macinnery.

Dick

[Calmly.] Alec found Macinnery half starving at Mombassa, and took him solely out of charity. But he was a worthless rascal, and he had to send him back.

Boulger

He gives ample proof for every word he says.

Dick

Whenever an explorer comes home, there's some one to tell nasty stories about him. People forget that kid gloves are not much use in a tropical forest, and grow very indignant when they hear that a man has used a little brute force to make himself respected.

Lady Kelsey

Oh, my dear Dick, it's much worse than that. First poor Lucy's father died…

Dick

You're not going to count that as an overwhelming misfortune? We were unanimous in describing that gentleman's demise as an uncommonly happy release.

Lady Kelsey

But Lucy was heart-broken all the same. And when her life seemed to grow a little more cheerful, came her brother's tragic death.

Dick

[Abruptly, to Mrs. Crowley.] What is it exactly?

Mrs. Crowley

The long and short of it is that Mr. Mackenzie was the cause of George Allerton's death.

Dick

Lucy's brother was killed by the slave-traders.

Boulger

Mackenzie sent him into a confounded trap to save his own dirty skin.

Lady Kelsey

And the worst of it is that I think Lucy is in love with Mr. Mackenzie.

[Boulger makes a slight movement, and for a moment there is an uncomfortable pause.

Carbery

I saw him this evening in Piccadilly, and I almost ran into his arms. It was quite awkward.

Dick

[Frigidly.] Why?

Carbery

I don't think I want to shake the man's hand. He's nothing short of a murderer.

Boulger

[Savagely.] He's worse than that. He's ten times worse.

Lady Kelsey

Well, for heaven's sake be polite to him if he comes to-night.

Carbery

I really couldn't bring myself to shake hands with him.

Dick

[Dryly.] Don't you think you'd better wait for evidence before you condemn him?

Boulger

My dear fellow, the letter in the Times is absolutely damning. Interviewers went to him from the evening papers, and he refused to see them.

Dick

What does Lucy say of it? After all, she's the person most concerned.

Lady Kelsey

She doesn't know. I took care that she shouldn't see the paper. I wanted to give her this evening's enjoyment unalloyed.

Mrs. Crowley

Take care, here she is.

[Lucy comes in.

Lady Kelsey

[Smiling and reaching out her hand.] Well, darling?

Lucy

[Going to Lady Kelsey.] Are you growing very tired, my aunt?

Lady Kelsey

I can rest myself for the time. I don't think any one else will come now.

Lucy

[Gaily.] You faithless woman, have you forgotten the guest of the evening?

Lady Kelsey

Mr. Mackenzie?

Lucy

[Bending over her.] My dear, it was charming of you to hide the paper from me this morning…

Lady Kelsey

[Startled.] Did you see the letter? I so wanted you not to till to-morrow.

Lucy

Mr. Mackenzie very rightly thought I should know at once what was said about him and my brother. He sent me the paper himself this evening.

Boulger

Did he write to you?

Lucy

No, he merely scribbled on a card: "I think you should read this."

Boulger

Well, I'm damned!

Lady Kelsey

What did you think of the letter, Lucy?

Lucy

[Proudly.] I didn't believe it.

BOULGER

[Bitterly.] You must be blinded by your – friendship for Alec Mackenzie. I never read anything more convincing.

Lucy

I could hardly believe him guilty of such an odious crime if he confessed it with his own lips.

Boulger

Of course, he won't do that.

Dick

Did I ever tell you how I made acquaintance with Alec? In the Atlantic – about three hundred miles from land.

Mrs. Crowley

What a perfectly ridiculous place for an introduction.

Dick

I was a silly young fool in those days, and I habitually played the giddy goat. In the course of which, I fell overboard and was proceeding to drown when Alec jumped in after me. It was an incautious thing to do, because he very nearly got drowned himself.

Lucy

That's not the only heroic thing he's done.

Dick

No, it's one of his hobbies to risk his life to save unnecessary and useless people. But the funny thing is that ever since he saved mine, he's been quite absurdly grateful. He seems to think I did him an intentional service and fell into the water on purpose to give him a chance of pulling me out.

Lucy

[With a long look at Dick.] It's very kind and good of you to have told that story.

[The Butler comes in and announces Alec Mackenzie.

Butler

Mr. Mackenzie.

Alec

[Blandly.] Ah, I thought I should find you here, Lady Kelsey.

Lady Kelsey

[Shaking hands with him.] How d'you do? We've just been talking of you.

Alec

Really?

Lady Kelsey

It's so late, we were afraid you wouldn't come. I should have been dreadfully disappointed.

Alec

It's very kind of you to say so. I've been at the Travellers', reading various appreciations of my own character.

Lady Kelsey

[Somewhat embarrassed.] Oh, I heard there was something about you in the papers.

Alec

There's a good deal. I really had no idea the world was so interested in me.

Lady Kelsey

It's charming of you to come to-night. I'm sure you hate dances!

Alec

Oh, no, they interest me enormously. I remember, one of the Kings of Uganda gave a dance in my honour. Ten thousand warriors in war-paint. I assure you it was most impressive.

Dick

My dear fellow, if paint is the attraction you really need not go much farther than Mayfair.

Alec

[Pretending for the first time to notice Boulger.] Ah, there's my little friend Bobbie. I thought you had a headache?

Lady Kelsey

[Quickly.] I'm afraid Bobby is dreadfully dissipated. He's not looking at all well.