The Thirteenth Chair | Page 8

unnecessarily sceptical, I'm going to suggest that we search Madame la
Grange--that is, of course, if she's willing.
(MISS ERSKINE and MISS STANDISH are at back of table R.)
ROSALIE (C.). But why not? There are no 'oles in my stockings.
(All laugh.)
MASON (down R.). I suppose it's going to be difficult for you to get
results if we are all so antagonistic, Madame la Grange?
(MISS EASTWOOD goes up L.C.)
ROSALIE. It is, sir, and it is not. If there is any who wants to
communicate with any 'ere, maybe they can reach us. I do not know. I
do not understand you. I showed you all the tricks; would I have done
that, if I wanted to--to--fool you? Certainly I would not. Then why will
you not believe that I am 'onest?
WALES (down L.). I'm sure Madame la Grange is perfectly honest.
We've made certain stipulations to which she has agreed. I think we've

discussed matters enough already. We're ready if you are, Madame la
Grange.
ROSALIE. I am ready.
(CROSBY looks at window fastenings R.)
MRS. CROSBY (seated at table over R.). Do you know, I don't believe
it will be necessary to subject Madame la Grange to being searched. I'm
quite sure we can spare her that indignity.
ROSALIE. I do not mind if you fine ladies will not be shocked at
seeing my plain lingerie.
(WALES moves up L. General laugh. Miss ERSKINE joins WILLIAM
and HELEN R.C.)
MRS. CROSBY (moving to L. of ROSALIE C.). Come with me then,
please. I'm sure we won't be shocked. (Aside to ROSALIE.) I wear that
kind myself.
ROSALIE. Truly, madame?
(They go to door L.)
MRS. CROSBY (at door L.), We shan't be long.
ROSALIE (at door L.). Madame, would you mind if all the ladies
come? Then they will all be sure I am concealing nothing.
(The ladies all talk together and go out L. WALES closes the door
down L. CROSBY comes from lack of table R. to chesterfield.)
WILLIAM (by table R.). Do you really want that window fastened?
(STANDISH is behind the chair below the table R.)
WALES (L.C. CROSBY and TRENT sit on corner of chesterfield). I
don't care.

MASON (at table R.). I'd like to make the test that way. I've a queer
feeling about that woman. I believe she really has power of some sort. I
know it seems funny, but--well, you all saw her lift that table. I
watched her carefully. There was no trick about it at all. I'm sure of it.
CROSBY. All right then. You fasten the window. Billy, you and Brad
go and get some chairs out of the dining-room. We'll need a lot.
(WALES walks up and down L. of stage. WILLIAM and TRENT go
out door R.C.)
You put them in a circle, don't you? (Begins to place chairs in a circle
C. The chair L. of the fireplace is brought down and placed in front of
the chesterfield.) What are you going to do, Wales? Ask her a lot of
questions?
WALES (L.). I'm going to try to find out who killed Spencer Lee.
CROSBY. Still harping on the murder of Spencer Lee?
(STANDISH places the chairs above and below the table in the circle,
then the chair on the R. side of the fireplace in the circle.)
WALES. Yes.
MASON (over R.--opening window curtains and raising window blind).
Who was Spencer Lee?
WALES. The best friend I ever had.
(TRENT and WILLIAM enter door R.C., each carrying two chairs.
They bring them down R.C. and exit R.C.)
STANDISH (placing chairs C. with backs to audience). We all knew
Lee pretty well. And I know he was no good.
WALES (moving to L.C., outside the circle). You mustn't talk like that
about him, Standish!

CROSBY (inside the circle and coming down C.). The man's dead:
why not let him rest in peace?
(STANDISH outside of circle L.C. seat.)
STANDISH. I didn't bring up the matter, you know, and I don't want to
hurt Ned's feelings, but I know that the police found a lot of
compromising letters and rotten things of that sort.
(WILLIAM and TRENT re-enter from R.C., each carrying two chairs.
WILLIAM crosses and places two chairs R. side of circle then goes
back to close the door.)
WALES (L.C.). I don't care what they found, or what anyone thinks of
Lee: he was my best friend, and if I can find out who killed him I'm
going to do it. It was a damned brutal murder, stabbed in the back, poor
chap, with never a chance to fight for his life. (Moves over L.)
MASON (by table R.). I don't seem to remember anything about the
case.
WALES. It happened before you got back from France--no, by Jove, it
didn't