(sinking into sleep). It was something very important. You were concerned in it——You know what it is——
Obenreizer. Something about to-morrow?
Vendale. Yes—to-morrow. (Falls asleep.)
Obenreizer. The laudanum has done its work at last! Now to find the receipt! It is not under his pillow! Has he by any chance forgotten, and put it in his valise? (Searches VENDALE’S portmanteau.) No! not there. Has he been looking at it, and left it anywhere about the room? (Lights a match, and looks about the room.) No! It is not left about the room. It must be on him—he said in London he would keep it about him. Have I given the laudanum time enough? Yes! (Looking down at VENDALE.) There he lies helpless at my mercy—the man who has come between me and Marguerite—the man who carries my ruin in the pocket of his coat—the man whose life I doubly thirst to take! Patience! patience! The inn is lonely; but the mountain is lonelier still! (Feels over the breast-pocket of VENDALE’S coat.) Has he got it here? Softly! Softly! Let me unbutton his coat. (As he unbuttons VENDALE’S coat, a loud knock is heard at the door of the room.)
The Waiter (speaking outside). Four o’clock, gentlemen!
Vendale. (starting up). Who’s there? Come in! (The WAITER enters the room, OBENREIZER crosses to the door as the WAITER crosses to VENDALE.)
Obenreizer. (speaking to himself). He crosses the mountain with me to-day. On the mountain I’ll kill him!
(The Scene closes on them.)
SECOND SCENE.—The exterior of the Swiss Inn. The day is breaking. The objects of the scene, and the persons of the scene, are only visible as shadows in a mist. Two high peaks of mountains, white with snow, are faintly discernible through the darkness. The WAITER at the inn, and three guides—JEAN-PAUL, JEAN-BAPTISTE, and JEAN-MARIE—appear like shadowy figures before the inn door.
The Waiter. Well, my lads, the day has broken at last. What do you say to the weather, now?
Jean-Paul. I say the weather will do.
Jean-Baptiste. I say doubtful!
Jean-Marie. I say—bad!
The Waiter. You must make up your minds. The two gentlemen have waited till they can wait no longer.
Jean-Paul. I am ready to cross the mountain with the gentlemen—if the others will go with me.
Jean-Baptiste. I should like to consult my father. My father knows the mountain by heart.
Jean-Marie. I can see for myself that there’s a storm coming. I smell the snow, I feel the hurricane, in the air. No money that the gentleman can offer will tempt me to cross the mountain with them to-day.
Enter OBENREIZER and VENDALE, equipped for crossing the mountain. They are followed by BAPTISTE SENIOR.
Obenreizer. (to the GUIDES). Well? are you ready at last?
Vendale. (to the GUIDES). My patience is at an end! I am sick and weary of all this doubt and delay!
Obenreizer. You hear what my friend says? Do you cross the mountain with us, or not?
Jean-Paul. I say yes—if the others will say yes too.
Jean-Marie. I say, No! Offer me what you like—No!
Jean-Baptiste. I say—put the case to my father here, and let him settle it. My father, gentlemen, is the oldest guide in these parts. He knows the mountain; he knows the weather; and he speaks the truth.
The Waiter. You may depend on the old man, gentlemen. I can certify to that!
Obenreizer. (to VENDALE). You have been in Switzerland before? You know the meaning of this? They want us to double our terms—that’s all!
Vendale. Do they think we are children? Are they attempting to frighten us?
Obenreizer. You shall judge for yourself! (Taps BAPTISTE SENIOR on the shoulder.) Now, you wise man of the mountains! What weather shall we have to-day?
Baptiste Senior. You will have a storm to-day.
Obenreizer. (to VENDALE). What did I tell you?
Baptiste Senior. You will have snow enough to bury you as you stand upright. You will have wind enough to blow the breath out of your body, and the hair off your head. You will have thunder and lightning. You will feel a cold you never felt before. You will see a darkness you never saw before. If you’re weary of your lives, cross the mountain to-day.
Vendale. Upon my word! a pretty confident opinion.
Obenreizer. Bah! Two napoleons would change his opinion.
Baptiste Senior. Two thousand napoleons wouldn’t change it! (To VENDALE.) Come here, if you please! You haven’t said I’m to be bribed—I’ll tell you. (Pointing to the mountain peaks.) Look up there! How many peaks can you count showing white through the mist!
Vendale. Two.
Baptiste Senior. There’s a third peak.
Vendale. Why don’t I see it?
Baptiste Senior. Because the storm-cloud is on it already. When that peak is hidden, while the other peaks show—beware of the mountain; there’s mischief coming! Did you hear the waterfall last night? Storm! Have you seen the cows restless, and the goats out of temper? Storm! Did your door stick in the jambs when you opened it this morning? Storm! Take your own way. I have warned you—and I wash my hands of it.
Jean-Baptiste. I say what my father says.
Jean-Marie. I said as much for myself, before your father spoke.
Jean-Paul. I can’t go, unless the others go too.
The Waiter. We will do our best, gentlemen, to make you comfortable at the inn.
Obenreizer. A formidable chorus, truly! Decide for yourself, Vendale. Your immortal Shakespeare says somewhere that discretion is the better part of valour.
Vendale. Fair weather or foul, I have no time to lose—and I am for pushing on.
Obenreizer. Don’t let me influence you. I am mountain born—I know the pass up there as I know my A B C.—I have heard these poor devils of guides ply their trade in this way, hundreds of times. It’s different with you—you may feel inclined to believe them. I’ll wait here if you like?
Vendale. I have waited too long already. I have pressing occasion to cross——
Obenreizer. (to the GUIDES). You hear? He has pressing occasion to cross.
Vendale. (to OBENREIZER). You know the mountain. If you will risk it, I will!
Obenreizer. (to the GUIDES). I risk it, at my friend’s request. (To VENDALE.) I’m your man! I’ll guide you to your journey’s end! Say when—and I am ready!
Vendale. (leading the way out) Now!
Baptiste Senior (stopping VENDALE). One last warning, sir! You didn’t tell me I was to be bribed. There are five places of shelter on the road. Past the five places, there is the wooden cross, and there is the convent. When the storm comes on, don’t try to brave it. If there is shelter near, take shelter instantly!
Obenreizer. (to VENDALE).