BETTEREDGE is next heard to unlock the hall door. He enters, followed by ANDREW, and by two housemaids. Under BETTEREDGE'S direction, ANDREW folds back the shutters, and lets the full daylight into the hall through the window. The women begin to put the hall tidy. PENELOPE enters next, and offers her morning greeting to her father. BETTEREDGE speaks as he kisses her.
Betteredge. Good-morning, my dear! Are you going to wake Miss Rachel?
Penelope. Yes, father. I had Miss Rachel's orders to wake her early this morning. (She crosses to RACHEL'S door, knocks, and enters. BETTEREDGE observes the cabinet, and approaches it.)
Betteredge. I may as well see that the Moonstone's safe before I go to Mr. Franklin's room. (He opens the drawer, and starts back.) Nothing in it! Have I mistaken the drawer? (He opens all the other drawers.) Lord bless us and save us!--the Moonstone's gone! (ANDREW and the HOUSEMAIDS hurry to BETTEREDGE, exclaiming together. "GONE")
Betteredge. Down with you on your knees, you young ones, and see if the diamond has dropped behind the cabinet, or on the floor! It's in a jeweller's box--a little white card-box. Well, have you found it?
Andrew and the Servants. No, sir!
Betteredge (bewildered). Gone! A diamond worth ten thousand pounds, gone! This is the most dreadful thing that has happened in my time. Who can have taken it? We are all honest people in this house.
Andrew (to BETTEREDGE). Will the servants be suspected, sir?
Betteredge (still bewildered). The servants? I locked the hall door last night, and took the key into my own room. Don't bother me with questions--I want time to think. (To himself). Only yesterday I marked it down on my almanac: "The wicked Colonel's vengeance begins tonight." The morning comes, and I find myself a true prophet! (He pauses, and looks about him in perplexity.) What is it my duty to do?
The Housemaids (hearing him). To speak up for the servants' characters!
Betteredge. Hold your tongues! (Recovering himself.) My duty is plain. I must report what has happened to Miss Rachel, and I must send to Frizinghall for the police. (He crosses to RACHEL'S room door and knocks. PENELOPE appears.) Penelope, is Miss Rachel up?
Penelope (observing his agitation). Lord bless us, father! what's the matter?
Betteredge (impatiently). Answer my question! Is Miss Rachel up?
Penelope. Up and dressed, before I knocked at her door. I don't know what has happened to her. She looks shockingly ill this morning.
Betteredge. Ill or well, I must see her directly. (He enters. PENELOPE follows him, closing the door. ANDREW and the HOUSEMAIDS are left alone on the stage.)
First Housemaid (speaking firmly). I'm glad he means to send for the police. The police will clear our characters.
Andrew. That's true, miss. I quite agree with you.
Second Housemaid (timidly). Will the police search our boxes?
First Housemaid. We are innocent people--what does it matter if they do? (BETTEREDGE reappears with a note in his hand.)
Betteredge (to ANDREW). The groom is to ride to the police-station at Frizinghall, and he is to give that note to the Inspector. (ANDREW hurries out with the note. BETTEREDGE reflects.) I don't know what to make of Miss Rachel. She flatly refused to let me send for the police. I was all but obliged to go on my knees before I could get her consent. I suppose I'd better tell Mr. Franklin about it next. Go on with your work, you girls--go on with your work. (He ascends to FRANKLIN'S room.)
Second Housemaid. I'm in such a flutter, I don't know what my work is.
First Housemaid. If you stand shivering and shaking like that, you'll be suspected of the robbery. Pull yourself together and sweep the carpet.
Second Housemaid (taking the broom). Oh, my poor nerves!
First Housemaid (dusting a chair). Your nerves, indeed! If I chose to give way like you, I should go into hysterics in this chair. (FRANKLIN appears in morning dress and speaks as he descends the stairs, followed by BETTEREDGE. The HOUSEMAIDS seeing him, go out with their brooms and dusters.)
Franklin. It's no use appealing to me, Betteredge; I am as completely puzzled as you are. I can't realise it. I can't believe it. No doors have been forced open. Nobody has broken into the house. Who can have taken the diamond? is it stolen, or is it only lost? The mystery is simply impenetrable; I can't find the slightest clue to it, think as I may.
Betteredge. Let's hope the police will enlighten us, sir.
Franklin (abruptly). What police?
Betteredge. The police from Frizinghall.
Franklin. They will be of no use! The case is beyond the reach of the local police. We shall only lose time and have to send to London after all. (He pauses and considers.) I have it! I know the very man who will help us. Give me a form, I'll telegraph to London at once!
Betteredge (giving him the form). What for, sir?
Franklin. For the famous detective, Sergeant Cuff.
Betteredge. That's a good notion, Mr. Franklin. Shall I tell Miss Rachel?
Franklin (writing). No, no! I'll tell Rachel myself. (ANDREW enters by the hall door.)
Andrew (to BETTEREDGE). Where am I to lay the breakfast, sir?
Betteredge. Lord bless me, I forgot the breakfast! Not in here; we may have the police in here. In the morning room, Andrew. (ANDREW turns to go out.)
Franklin (finishing his telegram). Stop! send this to the railway station directly.
Andrew. Yes, sir. (He goes out with the telegram.)
Betteredge. When will Sergeant Cuff be here, sir?
Franklin. He will start the instant he gets my telegram. How long is the railway journey from London?
Betteredge. Barely an hour by a quick train. (GODFREY appears at his room door. BETTEREDGE looks up.) Here's Mr. Godfrey, sir. Perhaps he's got something to propose?
Franklin (while GODFREY descends the stairs). Not he! When did you ever know a ladies' man who was of any use in an emergency?
Godfrey. Well, dear Franklin, what have you done about this dreadful business?
Franklin. I've done the best I can--I have telegraphed for Sergeant Cuff.
Godfrey (starting). The famous detective?
Franklin. Yes; and just the man we want to find the diamond.
Godfrey. You know him?
Franklin. Perfectly well. The last time I was in town I had a look at the vagabond side of London life--the tramps and thieves, you know--and Sergeant Cuff was my guide. The queerest fellow you ever saw. Looks more like a Methodist parson than a detective. Has a taste for flowers, absolutely dotes on roses. Think of that for a policeman!
Godfrey. Does Rachel know you have sent for this man?
Franklin. I am going to tell her the moment she comes out of her room. (ANDREW appears at the door.)
Andrew. Breakfast, gentlemen!
Franklin (taking GODFREY'S arm). Come along, Godfrey! (He stops as they pass the cabinet.) If Rachel hadn't forced me to put the diamond in that infernal cabinet--let's go to breakfast! (They go out.)
Betteredge (alone). Aye! aye! go to your coffee and cutlets. Whatever happens in a house, whether it's robbery or murder, you must have your breakfast! (PENELOPE enters from RACHEL'S room.) Well, Penelope? What news of Miss Rachel?
Penelope.