Page:The Iron Hand by Hall Caine.djvu/2



etc.

—The Chateau Lambotte on the River Yser, somewhere between Furnes and Dixmude.

—''A year after the beginning of the present war. ''

—''The hall of the Chateau Lambotte. A large, dignified well appointed room. Arched door at back. Large windows right and left of it. Door at right (of actors) to the house, up stage. A staircase leading down to room under the stage open from right wall. Armor, etc., the home of a soldierly family.''

''There are four large oil pictures on walls. On right wall above staircase, a portrait of Leopold I. the first King of the Belgians. On left wall, a portrait of King Albert, the present monarch. At back on R. between door and window, a portrait of an elderly man in the uniform of a Belgian general. At left, in corresponding position, a portrait of a young Belgian lieutenant. Against R wall, near to footlights, stands a large upright clock, and immediately above it there is a large round brass electric bell.''

''It is night. Curtains drawn over windows. German captain stands at back of a heavy hall table on left, under the portrait of King Albert. By his side sits his lieutenant, with pens, paper, etc. There is a telephone receiver on the table. A sergeant, a corporal and two privates stand at door.''

On R of stage, by the staircase to room below, stand two gentlewomen, one elderly, in widow’s weeds; the other young, and an old priest.

—Sergeant!

(stepping forward and saluting)—Captain!

—Make a general search of the chateau, examine the servants and take observation of any telephone or wireless apparatus there may be about the house.

—Yes, Captain.

(He goes in by door on right, accompanied by one of the two privates.)

(sitting, to group on right)—And now, if you please.

(sharply)—Achtung! Vorwarts!

(The two ladies and the priest approach table—the old lady fearlessly, the younger one nervously, the priest with composure.)

(to old lady)—Your name, madame?

(with quite dignity)—The Baroness Lambotte.

(repeating to lieutenant, who writes answers)—Baroness Lambotte. Widow?

—As you see.

—Your late husband’s name?

—General the Baron Lambotte.

—Long dead?

—He died at Liege, fighting against the invaders of Belgium.

(with a shrug) —H’m! any family?

—A son.

—His name?

—Victor Lambotte.

(repeating as before)—Victor Lambotte. Also a soldier?

(proudly) —A lieutenant in the army of the King.

—Where is he now?

—I don’t know.

—If you did you wouldn’t tell me?

(with quite emphasis) —I should not.

(to younger lady) Mademoiselle, your name, please?

(nervously) Nadine Lambotte, sir.

— Daughter of the Baroness?

— Daughter-in-law, sir.

—Then your husband is the lieutenant in the Belgian army?

—Yes, sir. (Pointing to portrait on left)—That is his portrait, sir.

(seizing her hand, in a whisper)—Nadine!

(frightened)—What have I said?

(after glancing at picture, to priest)—And now, your name, Reverend Father?

—Father Libbrecht.

—Cure of the parish?

(bowing)—And chaplain at the Chateau Lambotte.

—Long here?

—Nearly thirty years.

—Then you are perfectly acquainted both with this house and the country surrounding it?

—Perfectly.

—That will do for the present. (The three fall back. The sergeant returns by staircase from below). Well?

—I have searched the house, sir. There is no wireless apparatus anywhere, and no telephone except the one on your table.