Rat monologue — A Desperate Game: A Comic Drama in One Act

(_watching DAVID out, then goes quickly up and closes the door_) Alone at last--now then to work. (_takes a pair of pistols from his coat pocket, which he places on table_) But first, as ladies invariably fly to the bell ropes to raise an alarm, I must take the liberty of cutting these. (_taking knife out of his pocket, and cutting the bell ropes_) Now to examine the means of escape, in case of interruption--(_opening window and looking out_)--the garden--a small conservatory underneath--that's awkward; but, luckily, there's an apple tree so conveniently close as to make a very tolerable ladder on an emergency, so far perfectly satisfactory--and if my information is only tolerably correct, and it ought to be considering the trouble I've had in obtaining it, (_taking small pocket book from his waistcoat and opening it_) this door should lead to Mrs. Somerton's chamber--(_opening door at L., and looking in_)--exactly, and very elegantly appointed indeed. (_closes door, and again looking at his pocket book_)--"near the door a table"--precisely--(_laying his hand on the table_)--"on the table a small writing desk"--here it is--(_laying his hand on the writing desk_)--locked, and the key taken out, that of course I expected; but as I have ascertained that between the hours of 12 and 1 yesterday it became the temporary receptacle of a pocket book containing bank notes to the amount of fifteen thousand pounds, it is not likely I should come unprovided with the means of securing such a treasure. (_takes out a bunch of small keys, some of which he tries--produces a chisel from his coat pocket, and is about to insert it under the lid of the box, a loud ring at gate bell heard_) Mrs. Somerton returned. (_runs to door, L. U. E.--ring repeated_) Again! Stay--(_listening_) The window--quick! (_runs to window_) A man in the garden, and cautiously making towards this window. Who can he be? and what can be his object? Not the same as mine surely--egad, that would be comical enough. If I could only observe---- Ah--that door. (_blows out the candle, and gropes his way to door, R.; at the moment that he enters the room, R., POSTLETHWAITE'S head is seen at the window, R. U. E._)