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ROYDE. (Off; shouting.) He’s locked himself in the dining room.

BATTLE. (Off; shouting.) Break the door open. (The sound of heavy blows on wood is heard off. Kay rises.)

KAY. (Burying her face in Latimer’s shoulder.) Ted—oh, Ted . . .(She sobs. There is a crash of breaking glass off, followed by the sound of the door breaking open.)

BATTLE. (Off; shouting.) Jim—you go down by the road. I’ll take the cliff path. (Battle enters quickly L., and crosses quickly to the French windows. He looks worried. Breathlessly.) He flung himself through the dining room window. It’s a sheer drop to the rocks below. I shouldn’t think there was a chance. (Battle exits by the French windows. Benson enters L., crosses, exits by the French windows, and is heard to give three shrill blasts on his whistle.)

KAY. (Hysterically.) I want to get away. I can’t . . .

MARY. (Rising and movingC.) Why don’t you take her back to the hotel with you, Mr. Latimer?

KAY. (Eagerly.) Yes. Ted, please—anything to get away from here.

MARY. Take her. I’ll have her things packed and sent over.

LATIMER. (Gently.) Come along. (Kay exits with Latimer by the French windows. Mary nods and exitsL. Audrey moves to the chaise, sits on it, with her back to the bay window, and sobs. There is a slight pause, then the curtains of the bay window are parted a little. Nevile enters quietly over the sill of the bay window. His hair is dishevelled and there are streaks of dirt on his face and hands. There is a cruel and devilish smile on his face as he looks at Audrey. He moves silently towards her.)

NEVILE. Audrey! (Audrey turns quickly and sees Nevile. In a low, tense voice.) You didn’t think I’d come back, did you? I was too clever for them, Audrey. While they were breaking open the door I flung a stool through the window and climbed out on to the stone ledge. Only a man who is used to mountain climbing could have done it—a man with strong fingers—like mine. (He moves slowly nearer and nearer to Audrey.) Strong fingers, Audrey—and a soft throat. They wouldn’t hang you as I wanted them to, would they? But you’re going to die just the same. (His fingers close on her throat.) You’ll never belong to anyone but me. (Leach dashes in L. Benson dashes in by the French windows. Leach and Benson drag Nevile from Audrey and exit with him by the French windows. Audrey is left gasping for breath on the chaise. Royde enters L. He stares in a puzzled way towards the French windows and crosses towards them. He has almost passed the upstage end of the chaise when he realizes Audrey is there.)

ROYDE. (Stopping and turning to Audrey.) I say, are you all right?

AUDREY. Am I all right? Oh, Thomas! (She laughs. Royde, with his arms outstretched, moves towards Audrey as—)

THE CURTAIN FALLS

Verdict

CAST

(In order of their appearance)

LESTER COLE

MRS. ROPER

LISA KOLETZKY

PROFESSOR KARL HENDRYK

DR. STONER

ANYA HENDRYK

HELEN ROLLANDER

SIR WILLIAM ROLLANDER

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR OGDEN

POLICE SERGEANT PEARCE

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES

ACT I

SCENE1   An afternoon in early spring.

SCENE2   A fortnight later. Afternoon.

ACT II

SCENE1   Four days later. About midday.

SCENE2   Six hours later. Evening.