Paul Dickey

“ Every nerve of my body is on edge with the happenings of this dreadful place!
[67] Jarvis. Oh, don't cry! Go on, then—cry—cry—cry some more. Just forget you are a Princess and cry, that's it. That's fine. I'll round up this spook tonight for good, and then the vassal's task is done. His fate is in your hands, Highness. What's to become of him? (Love scene.) Don't send me away. I've loved you from the first, and I shall always love you. I'm no Prince or Duke. I know I'm just a plain American citizen, a man—and all the man in me cries out that I love you! ”

“ Jarvis. Your Excellency, I am overwhelmed, but the price is paid and we're on the job, aren't we, Rusty?
Rusty. Yas, sir, we most certainly is!
Duke. I suppose that means that you will keep faith with Her Highness?
Jarvis. Yes.
Duke. I never saw a man quite so anxious to be killed; but there it is: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
[50] Jarvis. I'd rather be an energetic fool than an angel with cold feet. ”

“ Rusty. (Advancing) Lord, Marse Warren, what is it? (Starts up to Jarvis.)
Jarvis. Get back! Give me that lantern. (Rusty hands lantern.) Give me your hand. Can you hold me? (Rusty holds out hand and Jarvis cautiously steps on trap door; it sinks and other end rises.) God! I thought so. Water and a long drop! No wonder people disappear in this castle. Good Lord, what if her brother went down there? Rusty, whatever happens, keep clear of this. If you step on this you will never see Kentucky again for sure. ”

“ I'll send one of my men into the castle to find your brother.
Princess. Yes, you will send one of your men—but you are not brave enough to go there yourself. Yet you ask me to send away this man who of all is willing to sacrifice even his life for me.
Duke. If he stays, I'll go.
Princess. Very well, then you force me to choose. I do. I choose a man.
Duke. You love him?
Princess. Perhaps. (r. Turns away.)
Duke. Well, Maria, you are sending him to his death. (Enter Jarvis on stairs.) Success to you, Mr. Ghost Breaker, when you beard the spectre in his den. ”

“ Duke. Mr. Warren, I feel a certain responsibility for Her Highness' actions, and the prospect of your death tonight is most uncomfortable.
Jarvis. You think I won't come back?
Duke. I think if you go to that castle tonight you take your life in your hands.
Jarvis. I've got a pretty good grip.
Duke. Look here. You Americans are shrewd traders. You get dollar for dollar when you bargain. You are not giving away your life for nothing. ”

“ Well, Rusty, we've been through this old castle pretty thoroughly now, from dungeon to tower, and not a sign of the Prince or the Duke or any one else, unless they pound or carry a smoky lantern. It's a clue, Rusty, it's a clue. We'll stick right here till we find out where it leads. I'll swear the Duke never went to Madrid, but came straight here from the inn. (Jarvis crosses to fireplace r. Rusty follows.) Get away from me. (Strikes a match and holds in chimney.) There's a fine chance for a fire. Good, it draws. ”

“ Treasure—what treasure?
Princess. My grandfather is known to have converted all his wealth into Spanish gold. It amounted to about a million dollars in your money.
Jarvis. How long ago was that?
Princess. Fifteen years ago. Since then two other men have disappeared—just as my father did—and now, the Duke tells me that my brother has entered the castle. You see it runs in the blood. Up to a week ago my brother had sent me a cable every day, then suddenly the messages ceased. All this week not a word. Now I know—my brother has entered the castle, and—well, that is the end. ”

“ Princess. I think so—and no one could possibly suspect—— (Jarvis takes out trays—locket drops out—back to audience.) Oh——
Jarvis. What is it?
Princess. It's nothing—I mean it's all right—it's just a locket.
Jarvis. Did I break it?
Princess. No—— (Jarvis takes contents out of trunk.) I broke it myself on purpose—yesterday. It means a great deal to me and perhaps to you. Some day you may know the reason why.
Jarvis. (Gets in trunk) Would you mind putting this lid down? (Princess puts down lid of trunk on Jarvis. Grunts.) O-oo-ou-ugh! ”

“ Jarvis. (Entering L.C.) Thank you. Would you mind bolting that door again? He might return. (Princess crosses to door and bolts it.) Do you know what a feud is?
Princess. Feud? Spain is the home of feuds.
Jarvis. So is Kentucky. That's where I came from. You're Spanish?
Princess. Yes.
Jarvis. Then you'll understand—those shots you heard, that was the end of a feud. I was called home suddenly by the death of my father—shot in the back—feud—man after man—two families—the Marcums and my own had shot each other down. Then my Dad fell and I was left to fight it out alone. ”

“ Jarvis. What are you going to do?
Rusty. I'm going to sink this other battleship!
Jarvis. Hold on—wait a minute. I reckon we can use that. It takes a thief to catch a thief, they say. We'll just outspook Mr. Ghost. Now, come on, Rusty. Get into this hardware as fast as you can.
[63] Rusty. Marse Warren, I don't want to be no spook!
Jarvis. Listen! Somebody was working in this room. It's a cinch that the treasure is here, and it's a bigger cinch he'll come back to get it when we've gone. ”

“ Now, all of a sudden you express the utmost anxiety as to what's going to happen to me in the castle. You even offer to buy me off. You advise me to stay out. Shall I take your advice? No. "The play ain't natural."
Duke. You have intruded into a matter which you neither understand nor appreciate. If, as you say, the play seems unnatural, throw the cards and stay out of the game.
Jarvis. No, I'll stay right in the game, but I am going to watch the dealer. Well, come along, Rusty. (Cross to Rusty.) Let's see if we can find the landlord. ”

“ Dolores. (At c., looking after Robledo—crosses to Jarvis) Don Robledo, Senor.
Jarvis. Don Robledo—sounds dangerous, but doesn't mean much to me.
Dolores. It may mean much before you reach the castle. Let me tell you something. Quick, your hand, Senor! No, the other one. (Grasps his hand.) I'll pretend to read your palm. Every one of those breaks in your life-line means a moment when you stood face to face with death, and yet, see those little squares of protection around each break! ”

“ Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that "THE GHOST BREAKER," being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States, the British Empire, and the other countries of the Copyright Union, is subject to a royalty, and anyone presenting the play without the consent of the owners or their authorized agents will be liable to the penalties by law provided. ”

“ Duke. (As though pitying him) I am sorry for you Mr. Warren. You will find the ghost more real than the treasure.
Princess. (Rising) But the treasure is real, Carlos. Would I have crossed the ocean for this locket unless I knew? Why, with this paper anybody—a total stranger—could walk right up to the very stone that hides it——
Jarvis. (Meaningly) Pretty dangerous paper to have around. Look out somebody does not get there ahead of you.
Duke. (Meaningly to Jarvis) Yes, it is a dangerous paper—if it leads anyone into the castle. ”

“ Robledo. Coward, never! A fair fight in the open and I'll meet the best man that walks the earth. (Turns to Villagers.) Any two or three! (To table l.)
Dolores. I don't ask you to kill one or two or three of these poor whimpering sheep! I ask you to dare something. (Duke enters c.) I ask you and these gentlemen— (Point to Villagers) —to go to the aid of your Prince—and there isn't a man among you who dares! God, how I could love such a man!
Duke. (Down c., sarcastically to Dolores) A pretty speech, Senorita!
Robledo. (Seeing Duke, removes hat and bows) Your Excellency!
[44] Gaspar. ”

“ Princess. No, Nita! Not just yet. I'll call you when I want you.
Jarvis. We are keeping you from getting settled, I am afraid. (Cross toward door.) So, if you will excuse me, I'll see you at luncheon, perhaps. Hooray! I am glad to have made your acquaintance, your Excellency.
Duke. Thank you, Mr. Warren, I find you most interesting. I shall be glad to hear more of your remarkable profession. (Warren crosses to door and opens it, disclosing two detectives and steward.)
Detective. Are you Miss M. T. Ar—ra—gan?
Princess. (l.c.) Yes!
Detective. You was at the Manhattan Hotel last night? ”

“ The authors of "Dulcy" have divulged a secret known to every woman—and to some men, though the men don't admit it.
The central figures are young Leonard Beebe and his wife Elsie, a little girl from Mobile. Leonard is the average young American clerk, the kind who read all the "Success" stories in the magazines and believe them. Elsie has determined to make him something more. She has her hands full—even has to make an after dinner speech for him—but she does it and the play shows how.
Helen Hayes played Elsie and Otto Kruger impersonated Leonard in New York, where it ran a whole season. ”

“ Here's another one. (Rusty salutes.) We're both Americans.
Robledo. And you both want to die? (Rusty makes wry face and big eyes.)
Jarvis. (l.c.) Well, I'm not really anxious about it, Senor.
Robledo. Better keep out of the castle, then.
Jarvis. Oh, you mean that ghost? Oh, I'm not afraid of a little thing like that, Senor.
Robledo. No? (Turns to Dolores c.) Well, Senorita, we gentlemen of Segura will drink to your American. (To Jarvis) The maddest fool that ever came to Spain! ”

“ Princess. (Interrupting) I am so glad you are [28] here, cousin—you will be able to tell Mr. Warren, so much better than I, all the circumstances.
Duke. I'll be delighted to throw any light I can on the mystery, but first tell me— (To Princess) —why did you leave your brother to come to America?
Princess. (Takes locket from reticule) This little locket is what brought me to America.
Duke. (Crosses to her, holding out hand to take it) May I see it?
Princess. (Takes out memo.) No, Carlos, you may see the locket—no one must see the memorandum.
Duke. Memorandum?
Princess. Yes.
Jarvis. ”

“ Jarvis. (c.) They're trying to scare us, Rusty. They're probably watching every move we make. That's where that pounding comes from. Why don't they shoot? They're trying to scare us, like they did the poor boobs down in the village. (Rusty crosses to fireplace.) They want to get us out of here. They want to get us out of this room. Rusty, someone was working in the room. Now, where was he working? Where was he——
Rusty. (Meanwhile has crossed to mantel and picked up hammer and chisel) Look here, Marse Warren—look y'ere! (A few steps from fireplace.) ”

“ Still, all fools are not dead yet. One of them will be here tonight. And you, Senorita, will doubtless be pleased to look upon him, as he has come all the way from America for the privilege of entering the castle and playing your hero.
Dolores. (To Robledo) And did her Highness have to go all the way to America to find him?
Duke. Yes, he's from America, where all the fools come from. (Everybody laughs but Dolores. To Robledo) A word with you alone, Senor.
(Robledo looks at Gaspar and Maximo. Pedro, scared, motions Villagers off to r. Pedro, Maximo and Villagers exit door r.) ”

“ Jarvis. "And do faithfully fight in my lady's cause according to the feudal laws of Castile and Aragon."
Princess. Arise, vassal. (Jarvis arises and kisses her hand.) That is part of the ceremony, but I meant to omit it.
Jarvis. I thought that the only sensible part. I beg your pardon—but who on earth is this Maria Theresa that I am hired man to?
Princess. I—am Her Highness—Maria Theresa—Princess of Aragon.
[12] Jarvis. Good night! You a Princess! And I have been ordering you around with a gun. (Sound of running for a moment.) Sh! (Crosses to door r., listens.) ”

“ Jarvis. Don't be disturbed, gentlemen; he's quite harmless. You heard him talking about the King—he suffers from Regalmania. He has grandiose ideas.
Detective. (Aside) What does that mean, Tom?
Second Detective. (With gesture to head) Wheels.
Detective. You mean he is crazy?
Jarvis. Yes, he is at times; but he is not at all dangerous.
Detective. You lookin' out for him?
Jarvis. Yes, that's my job.
Detective. Sorry I had to be rough with him like that, Miss, but you saw he was gumming the game. I'm going back to New York in the pilot boat shortly and there wasn't no time to waste. ”

“ Not wanting to, Princess exits, followed by Carlos, who closes door after him. Trunk lid raised slowly after Princess and Duke exit. Jarvis' head appears and looks about. Throws back lid and stands up. Gets cigarette and matches out of pocket, lights and smokes. Expresses satisfaction. Lifts one leg to step out of trunk; gets stitch in back at movement.)
Jarvis. Oh—oh—Lord! (Carries this business at far as legitimate. With every movement getting out of trunk finds new pain.) If I only had that last baggage man by the neck! Oh—a—oh, Lord! (Crosses left and drinks water.) ”

“ Did you feel that, too?
(Jarvis crosses slowly and cautiously to picture; feels all around picture and lights a match to examine it; passes light all around frame.)
Jarvis. (Backing away) By God, that's weird! You could feel that just as plain—— (Backs to steps and sits on balustrade, over which figure in armor is standing.) By God, that's weird! (In awed [62] voice. Figure in armor raises sword slowly directly behind Jarvis.)
Rusty. (Looking at picture) It sure is, Marse Warren, it sure is—— (Rusty turns just in time to see sword raised above Jarvis' head; screams) Look out! ”