0° ,-> >.> s • • r >^''r^T'\/ v^^ \. .**• >y * -011® • ^ ^N^ *A '-^^ "■ .0^ *L!^'. "^^ ""^ *^' -'•°- '^- '' NO PLAYS EXCHANGED. DAHER'5 CDITISN er PL7\Y3 theToverSent Price, 25 Cents THE AMAZONS ^'^^ ^ Three Acts. Seven males, five females. Costumes, modem ; scenery, not difficult. Plays a full evening. THE CABINET MINISTER ^^^^^^^^^^^- Ten males, mne females. Costumes, modem society ; ■oenei y, three interiors. Plays a full evening. BANDT BICK ^*^^^ *° Three Acts. Seven males, four females. Costumes, modem ; scenery, two interiors. Plays two hours and a hall THE fiAY LORB OUEX ^™®<*y ^ ^<*" M^*- ^^^ males, ten " females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. ^ HIS BOUSE IN ORBER comedy m Four Acts. Nine males, four u-h^ mM.^%,^M4 ■*! ^mym,M4»M. f^j^j^j^g Costumes, modem ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. THE HOBBY HORSE Comedy in Three Acts. Ten males, five females. Costumes, modem; scenery easy. Plays two hours and a half. IDIC Drama in Five Acts. Seven males, seven females. Costumes, modem ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. I AAV RAriNTIFTII ^^^ ^ Four Acts. Eight males, seven fe- l0- Thank God ! Ed. (aside). I have struck the right track at last. {Aloud.) My dear Martin, she would marry you to-morrow if you were only free ! , Martin {slowly). Free ! freedom ! How sweet that word sounds to me. Ed. Take your chance and escape while there is yet time. This is your only show, so make the most of it. Martin. Escape? . ^ Ed. Yes, you must answer at once. Remember, it s lib- erty and Clara Armstrong, the girl of your heart ! Martin. Liberty and Clara ? Ed. Yes; your answer? What is it going to be? Yes or no? Martin. My answer is yes I I will escape ! Ed. Good 1 Now you are speaking like a sensible being. Paul {coming dowji). Well, Edwin, have you won him over yet? Ed. {laughing). Well, I should say so. Paul. Indeed ! How was it accomplished ? Ed. By the name of my cousin Clara. Paul. Ah, so we have a woman in the case, have we? Martin. Yes, and a very beautiful one at that. But come to the point at once. What is the plan of escape you have laid out for my benefit ? Ed. Listen then. You and I will exchange clothes. We are of the same size, and the difference will never be noticed. By keeping your face covered you can easily pass the guard, and all will then be well. Mr. Gray has a sleigh and a fast 24 THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE team of horses at hand. Once you are on the outside, escape will be easy. Mr. Gray will take you to a cabin in the moun- tains where all the police of Denver will never find you. When you reach the cabin you will remain there in all security until I come. Martin. But when they find out I have escaped will they not seek to avenge themselves on you ? Ed. I'll take my chances. Martin. Very well, then. When do you propose to make the change ? Ed. In a short time. Martin. When you are ready to make the change, you will find me ready also. Ed. {looking around). Hush ! Some one is coming ! Paul. Come, Edwin, let us go and see that the sleigh and horses are in readiness for the flight of the prisoner to the cabin in the mountains. Ed. Wait until we see who is coming. Enter Alex., c. Alex. Gentlemen, time is up. Sorry to disturb, but such are the rules of the prison. Ed. We have no desire to break the rules of the prison. Come, Mr. Gray. \^Both exeunt, C. Alex. Well, prisoner, have your friends any confidence in being able to procure a pardon for you from the governor ? Martin {sadly). In such a case as mine, I fear my friends can do but little. Alex. Sorry to hear you say that. Still who knows what might turn up when least expected ? This is the last place in the world I would like to see a young man sent for any number of years. Martin. You may well say so. Enter Peter, c. Peter. A lady wishes to see the prisoner, Martin Jackson. Martin. A lady? {Aside.) Perhaps Clara ! Alex. Who is she ? Peter. She gave the name of Mrs. Laura Marston ! Alex. Mrs. Marston? {Aside.) John's sister ! {Aloud.) Show her in. Peter. Yes, sir. [^Exiif c. THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE 25 Alex. I don't know what her business may be with you, but I suppose it will be private. I will leave you alone with her. \^Exit, c. Martin (^boiai/ig). Thank you, sir. Now what the deuce can bring the widow to see me? I suppose I will soon know all, for she must be close at hand, as I hear the rustle of her skirts outside the door. Enter Laura, c. Laura. You seem surprised to see me, Martin ? Martin. I am more than surprised to see Mrs. Marston inside the walls of the Jefferson state prison. Laura. I had a motive in coming here to see you, Martin. Martin. Indeed ! Laura. I came to offer you the means of escaping from this terrible place of imprisonment ! Martin. You speak strangely, Mrs. Marston. Laura. Do 1 ? Then I will make my meaning clear to you. I love you, Martin Jackson, from the bottom of my heart, and would aid you in making your escape from this dreadful place. However unwomanly it may seem in de- claring my love, I mean it in all sincerity. Martin. Love? Laura. Yes, Martin Jackson, love. I have never felt this affection for any living being before. Married when but six- teen years old to a man old enough to be my grandfather, you may well say my lot was not a happy one. Three months after the wedding my husband died, leaving me a widow when little more than a child. I never loved until the night I met you at my home, when you were arrested. From that moment I loved you madly, passionately. True, I have promised to become the wife of Paul Gray, but that was before I really knew you. The engagement can be easily broken. But the love I have for you, Martin, would lead me to brave all. I would give up wealth, friends and everything. I would be willing to live in the greatest of poverty to be by your side. Now, Martin, you have heard my confession, what do you say? Martin. Nothing, Mrs. Marston, nothing. Laura. Then you will take advantage of the means of es- cape I have prepared ? Martin. It is impossible. Laura. Impossible, you say ? What do you mean by im- possible? Nothing is impossible in this life. 26 THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE Martin. I mean it is impossible for me to return your af- fection. Laura. Then you love another ? Ah, yes, I see it all now. You are in love with the daughter of this Chicago millionaire. Ah, yes, I should have known better. You love her, then ? Martin. I do, indeed. Laura. And do you think for a moment that a girl like her could return the affections of a convict ? Martin. Mrs. Marston, you forget what you say ! Laura. Pardon me, Martin, but my love for you makes me unreasonable. Martin. Besides, you must remember Clara Armstrong is a girl who loves but once in her life, and once the idol of her dreams is shattered she never loves again 1 Laura. Very true, indeed, Martin. But still the world looks on you now as a convict. Martin. A convict, Mrs. Marston ? Laura. Yes, a convict. Are you not a counterfeiter, found with the bills in your possession ? Martin. You know I am no counterfeiter, Mrs. Marston. The bills were placed there by an enemy ! Laura. An enemy? Martin. Yes, by an enemy. What the object was I have been unable to learn. Laura. You forget, Martin Jackson, you were a guest in my house when the bills were found and you were arrested. Surely you don't suspect me of having any hand in the plot, if plot there were, as you say? Martin. I suspect no one. Some day the truth will be found out and the guilty will be punished. Laura. I must be going now, Martin. Remember my offer to assist you to escape still holds good. When you wish to communicate with me, write. All letters written by you to me will be delivered. For the present, bye, bye. [Exi^, c. Martin {looking after her, and then to audience). Well, of all the surprises I ever received in all my life, that one was the greatest. Women are queer creatures when you come to con- sider them in a careful manner. Enter Paul, c. Paul. So your beautiful visitor has left you, has she? Martin. Yes, she just left me. THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE 27 Enter Ed., c. Ed Now is your time, Martin. The night is coming on and it will soon be dark. Change clothes with me quickly and when Mr. Gray leaves you will go with him. (^Both quickly change upper gar fnefits.) Martin. But our features are not the same ! Ed That don't matter. If you can escape from this room without being discovered, all is well. This you can do by keeping your face concealed as much as possible. Once you reach the gate you will find the team and sleigh. Mr. Gray will show you the cabin in the mountains of which I spoke. Martin. But look at the risk you run. Ed. Never mind the risk. Do as I tell you. Remember, it is for Clara and freedom you are doing it. Martin. Ah, yes, for her sake I will brave all. Ed. Now you are beginning to talk sense. Are you ready ? Martin. All is ready. Ed. {shaking hands with Martin). Then good-bye until we meet again. Martin {fervently). Good-bye, and may you escape from all harm. You are doing the act of a hero. Good-bye. [Exit, c, with Paul. Ed And now to prepare for that devil, John Arnold, and his confederates. Won't they be surprised when they discover that the prisoner has escaped? Well, I guess, yes. (Sits L., and bows his head.) Enter John and Alex,, c. John. And now we are alone with the prisoner at last. Paul Gray and his young Chicago friend have left the prison for the city in a blinding snow-storm. Good thing if they both perished. And now to hear the news. But first we must have Martin Jackson sent back to his prison cell. Alex. Very well. (Touches Ed. on the shoulder.) Come, young man, you must return to your cell. Ed. (rising). I am ready. _ John. That is certainly not the voice of the prisoner, Martm Jackson. Alex. What do you mean? 28 THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE John. I mean we have allowed the prisoner to slip through our fingers by our cursed stupidity ! Ed. {facing thetii). Gentlemen, I am sorry to say you are right. The prisoner has changed his boarding-house ! Ed., c. John, r. Alex., l. QUICK CURTAIN (One night is supposed to elapse between Act II and Act III.) ACT III SCENE. — A plain room. Doors r. and l. c. ; a window covered with frost, R. c. ; fireplace ivithfire^ l. ; bench before fireplace ; table a fid chairs down r. Music at rise. Enter James, r. c. James {looking around^. No one here but myself. {Looks at watch.) Ten o'clock and Edwin not here-yet. {Crosses to fireplace, lights cigar, and then sits down before the fire.) It is not possible the officials of the prison would hold him as a hostage for the return of Martin Jackson. Still Edwin is cool- headed and has got out of tighter scrapes than this before. Enter Clara, r. c. Clara (crossifig to l.). Any news of Edwin yet, father? James {shaking his head). So far, none. Clara. I am so afraid something has happened to him. He is so impatient, and might do or say something for which he might be arrested. James. Have no fear about him, Clara. He is one of those young men who are able to take care of themselves, r* Clara {sittifig at table l.). That is true enough, father. Yet some word from Edwin, at the present time, would do much to set my mind at rest. Perhaps Mr. Adams, the warden of the prison, has made a prisoner of him. James {laughing). Nonsense, child ! Has not Mr. Gray promised to see that Edwin is saved if the worst comes to the worst ? Clara. And who is this Mr. Gray, that he can make such a promise as that ? James. Now you are asking me a question I cannot an- swer. All I know is that he claims to be the chairman of the prison board of commissioners. Clara {fervently). Whoever or whatever he is, I sincerely hope he will protect Edwin from the fury of his enemies. James. Enemies, Clara ? Why, Edwin has no enemies in the world. 29 30 THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE Clara. Well, not exactly his enemies, father. But then I so look upon the prison officials from where Martin made his escape. Remember, they will have no love for the one who has cheated them out of their prey. James. That is very true, Clara. Still I think in a short time Edwin will be here. Clara. I hope so, father. James. Where is Mr. Gray now ? {Rises.") Clara. Talking with Martin and his sister. James {crossing to r.). I think I will go and speak to him about the non-appearance of your cousin. Clara. Do, father, by all means. And when you return bring me a message of good cheer. James. Donl give up, Clara. I haven't the slightest doubt but that Mr. Gray will keep his word and take care of Edwin. \^Exit, R. Clara. Oh, if anything should hai)pen to my dear cousin, Edwin, I would never forgive myself for allowing him to run the risk he did. And yet the promise given to me by that mysterious man, Mr. Gray, that nothing would happen to Edwin, seems to set my mind at rest. E?iter Paul, r. Paul. Well, well, my little girl, why are you so downcast this morning ? Are you not delighted to have your future hus- band safe and sound again by your side, after being rescued from a living grave? Clara. Oh, yes, Mr. Gray, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the great assistance you have rendered in the hour of need ! Paul. Then why this silence? Clara. I am greatly worried over the non- arrival of my cousin, Edwin. According to your own statement, if all went well, he should have been here last night. Yet now it is morn- ing and we have not seen sight of him so far. Oh, if anything should have befallen him, I would never forgive myself. Paul {patting her on the head). There, there, little woman, don't give up yet. I promise that your cousin shall return to us all safe and sound. Clara. What do you mean, Mr. Gray ? Paul. I mean just what I say, and nothing more. How- ever, there is yet time for his arrival. Last night's terrible storm may have delayed him the same as it did us. THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE 3I Clara. Oh, Mr. Gray, you don't know what a load you have taken from my heart by your kind and hopeful words. Paul. There, there, little lady, run along now and join your future husband. I know that he is dying to have a chat with you. Clara (^rising). Mn Gray, will you answer me one ques- tion without hesitation ? Paul. Perhaps. That all depends on what the question is going to be. Clara. It is one that is easily answered. Paul. Indeed ! Clara. Yes. Paul. Then what is this all important question going to be? Clara. Who are you? Paul. Who am I ? Clara. Yes. Paul. I am simply Paul Gray, ex -banker of Denver, Col. Run along now and join Martin. I am sure he is anxious to have you by his side. Clara. Oh, very well, I will go. But just the same I in- tend to find out who you really are before I return to Chicago. Paul. All right, little woman. {Listens.') I think I hear Martin calling you now. Clara. I am going to him ; but won't you join us ? Paul. Not just at present. I am hourly expecting the arrival of Nick Morton, the secret service officer. Once he is here and I will know if it is necessary for me to return to the prison. Clara. In that case, sir, I will not delay you any longer. \^Exity R. Paul. By jingo, she is a charming girl and no mistake. If the government only had a dozen men like her and her cousin, there would not be a single counterfeiter in America that the government wouldn't know something about. ( Crosses to fireplace. ) Time'Nick should be here. (Looks at It is watch.') I wonder what detains him ? (Door L. c. opens as he looks around.) Ah, he is here at last ! Efiter Nick, l. c. Nick. Good-morning, captain. Paul. Well, Nick, what detained you ? You are a long ys2 THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE way beliind time this morning. I never knew you to fail me before. ( Both sit \.. and ^. of table.') _ Nick, rhe road was so full of snow that it was niipossible for me to make greater headway than I did. Paul. What of the Chicago youth we left ni the prison ? Nick Is he not here with you all? Paul. Here? U^mips up.') Why, you don't mean to say he left last night in the storm ? Nick. Certainly I do ! -^^ r- j . .i i, Paul {walking up and down the room). My CjOQ ! then ne has perished in the storm ! Nick {ivatching him). Perhaps he might have sought shelter in the home of some mountaineer along the road. Paul (sitting down again). That would have been his only chance to save his life. How can I tell the sad news to that dear girl and her father, if anything has happened to him? I should have told them all at the prison. Nick And by so doing spoil all our plans and at the same time put the members of Captain Bodkm's band of counter- feiters on their guard. ^ .„ t i . ^i • i Paul That is true enough, Nick. Still I hate to thuik that the young man should have perished through my trying to find out the members of a secret band of criminals. Nick I don't altogether think the young fellow has been lost. A boy with such energy and pUick would make a desper- ate fight for his life. A calm head will do much m time of danger Who knows but in not coming here last night he might have discovered who the head of the counterfeiters ''paul.^ If I could only believe so. For ^^^^^-^ than three years this band of counterfeiters have baffled every effoit of the secret service to discover who this Captain Bodkin is. Once his identity is known to me the rest will be easy. ^ Nick. Still you must admit, whoever he is, he is a clever man, by the way he covers up his tracks. Paul Oh, I give him credit for all that, Nick But re- member' the smartest men fail in the end. AH t^ie same I would very much like to find out who the man is. Just tliinR, Nick, what a power he would be in the diplomatic service if he was only an honest man. Nick. You may well say so. A man like him would be a credit to any nation. Only to think he is on the downward path, and will come to an end when he least expects it. THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE 33 Paul. I tell you what it is, Nick, I hate to see such a man on the road to destruction through his own blind foolishness. Nick. Have you never had any suspicions who he is ? Paul. Sometimes I think he must be the relative of some great man, who is thus able to warn him of danger. Nick. Perhaps you may be right. {Rises.) No doubt the storm has cleared away by this time. Had we not better go out and search for the missing youngster ? Paul (rising). That is a good idea, Nick, and we will start out at once. 1 sincerely hope we will be able to find him. Nick. Let us go then. [^Both exeunt, l. c. Enter Martin and Clara, r. Martin {both crossing and sitting on bench before fire). Then you are glad to have me by your side again, Clara? Clara. Oh, Martin, you know I am. If I only knew for a positive fact that my cousin was safe, how happy I should be. Martin. Have no fear for him, Clara. He knows enough to get out of any scrape he may get into. Yet it was a gen- erous deed he did when he changed clothes and also places with me last night. If it was not for the thought of you, I would never have undertaken to make my escape from that hell of torment and death ! Clara. And have you no suspicion of who it was placed the bills in your pocket that night, and then sent information to the police which led to your arrest on the charge of being a counterfeiter? Martin. I haven't the slightest idea in the world. But some day I hope to run across him, and when I do Clara. What would you do, Martin ? Martin. Never mind now, Clara. There is a debt which can and must be paid. The life I have led for the last month in the prison I shall never forget as long as I live. The only satisfaction I can get will be to see the one, who sent me there by a false accusation, sent there himself. Then he will know what his scheming has caused an innocent man to suffer. {Wildly.) My God, Clara, if I was to be there another month, and at the same time know I was innocent, I would be a raving maniac. Clara. Poor Martin, how you must have suffered. Martin. Suffer? The pangs of the damned at the end of the world are nothing to what I suffered in that hell on earth. But let us change the subject, Clara, and talk of something else. It almost drives me mad when I think of what I went through. 34 THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE {Rises.) The storm must be over by this time. Let us go out and perhaps we can find some trace of your cousin Edwin. Clara. Very well, Martin. \_Both exeiuit, l. c. Enter Effie, r. Effie (rushing in). Oh, brother Martin {Looks around.) Why, he is not here. I wonder where can he be? {Sits before fire.) Oh, yes, I know now. He was with Clara when he left the other room. They must have gone out to look for Clara's cousin Edwin. {Rises.) 1 will get my things and join them. I think I owe the young man a greater debt of gratitude than any of them. Didn't he save my life at the risk of his own ? Strange how he came to be the cousin of the girl my brother is going to make his wife. I sincerely hope my brother will be happy with Clara. She is such a lovely girl that I love her already. And then her cousin is so handsome. But I must hurry and get my wraps if I intend to join them in the search for the missing young man. \_Exity R. Enter Ed., l. c. Ed. {ivalking to fireplace). This must be the place I was directed to come to after I left the prison last night. {Looks around.) Where the devil can they all be ? Strange I haven't seen any one around. One thing is certain ; some one lives here, for the fire didn't build itself. Perhaps, after all, I have struck the wrong place. Whether it's the right or the wrong place, I think I will enjoy the benefit of this fire for a while. The storm I got mixed up with last night was a holy terror and no mistake. Lucky for me the driver knew of that deserted cabin by the roadside, otherwise I don't know what would have become of us. Guess I will go out and see if I can find any- body who belongs here. There were the tracks of many feet in the snow outside the door, yet where are they all ? Perhaps they have become alarmed when I failed to turn up, and have gone in search of me. Well, all that is left for me to do is go in search of them. Perhaps I shall run across Martin's lovely sister Effie. So here goes. \_Exit, l. c. Enter Effie, r. Effie. Now I am ready to join in the search for the miss- THE GOVERNMENT DETEQTIVE 35 ing one. How happy I should be if it was my good fortune to find him the first. At all events I am going to try. \_Exii, R. Enter John, l. c. John (Jookiiig around cautiously). I don't think there is any more of them in at the present time. Curse it, I am nearly frozen standing out there in that infernal snow. ( Crosses to R. ) I never knew how good a fire felt before! (^Looks aroujid.^ So this is the place Martin Jackson came to last night after he made his escape from the prison ? And she is here with him. Oh, what would I not give if I could only change places with Martin Jackson, and listen to the words of love she pours forth into his willing ears. But no, it's not to be. (^Savagely.) I will have her yet though. I have sworn she shall never become the wife of Martin Jackson. 1 think I will take a stroll around, and perhaps I may meet her alone. None of them suspect me of anything yet, but that man Paul Gray. I fear him, and I don't know why. However, he better not cross my path too often, or he might find himself out of the way some morning. {^Exit, L. c. Enter Effie, r. Effie (^pouting). Dear me, no sign of any of them. {Sits at fireplace.) I wonder what became of them all? It was real mean of them to go away and leave me here alone. Not that I am afraid, for there is no one within miles of this place but ourselves. But then it is the dread of being alone. If I only had some one to talk to it wouldn't be half so lonesome. For instance if Edwin was only here. Ejiter Ed., l. c. Ed. I can't find a single {Quickly.) Hello! there is my cousin Clara now, talking to herself. She hasn't heard me yet. I know what I will do. I will steal up behind her and give her a kiss of cousinly greeting. I don't suppose she will relish it as much as one she would receive from Martin, and I know I would rather be kissing Martin's beautiful sister than his intended wife. Well, here goes. (^He steals up behind Effie and throws his ar^ns around her neck and kisses her. She screatns and Jumps up i?t alarm. ) Effie. How dare you, sir ? 36 THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE Ed. Holy smoke ! Martin's sister ! Effie. Clara's cousin ! {Resumes seat. Ed. {Iea7ii7ig ofi back of seat). 1 beg a thousand pardons for my rudeness to you just now. Effie. For what do you beg my pardon ? Ed. For the great liberty 1 took just now in kissing you. The fact is I mistook you for my cousin. Effie {shyly). And are you sorry I turned out to be the wrong girl? Am 1 not just as anxious to be kissed as your cousin? Ed. I suppose so. I was sure you were offended when you screamed. Effie. 1 screamed because you took me by surprise. Ed. Miss Jackson. Effie. Why do you call me Miss Jackson ? Why not call me Efhe ? Ed. Well, that would hardly be proper. The fact is we are almost strangers to each other. Effie {quickly). Say not so. How could the man who saved my life be a stranger to me? Do you think I am not grateful for what you have done? And if you only knew how anxious I was when you failed to arrive last night But what am I saying? 1 am forgetting myself. Ed. Not at all. The words you have just spoken show you have a heart. Effie {laughing). Why certainly I have a heart. Every girl is supposed to be supplied with that useful organ, I believe. Ed. 1 believe they are. But as a general thing it is not in the right place. Effie. Certainly it is not in the right place. How could it be when it's on the left side ? Ed. {aside). Pretty good for a Denver girl, {Aloud.) A truce to all this idle talk. Did your brother and Mr. Gray reach here all riglit last night ? Effie {rising). Yes, thanks to the noble deed you per- formed. {Sincerely.) Believe me, 1 shall remember it until my dying day. Ed. {aside). I can't stand much of this. {Aloud.) Non- sense ! I only did what I thought was right. Effie. You acted like a hero. Ed. {looking around). Where are all the rest of them ? Effie. They became frightened at your absence, and have gone in search of you. THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE 37 Ed. Indeed ! Then they will have a hard job of it. Let Ub go and find tliem. Effiio. With pleasure. Come this way and we can head them off in front of this place. [Both exeunt j r. Enter Martin and Clara, l. c. Clara (crossing and sitting before fire') . No sign of my cousin yet. WHiat can detain him ? Something must surely have happened to him. Martlm (standing beside her). Cheer up, Clara. 1 have determined to take a desperate step and save the life of your cousin ! Clara (rising). What do you mean, Martin? Martin. I mean that if he is not here within a certain time, I will return to the prison and give myself up. By so doing they will release Edwin, if they are holding him a pris- oner in consequence of having assisted me to escape. Clara (clinging to him). Oh, Martin, you shall not go. Martin. I have made up my mind, so that nothing can change my decision. Clara (ivildly). No, no, Martin, you shall not go ! Any- thing but to return to that dreadful place. (Cliiigs to him.) I will prevent you. Edwin is safe. I am sure of it. (E?itreat- ingly.) Say you won't go, Martin. (Kneels.) See, Mar- tin, the girl you love kneeling at your feet, and begging you not to return to that awful place. Oh, Martin, say you won't go ! Martin (assisting her to rise). Clara, I have made up my mind and I will not change it. By giving myself up the prison officials will release Edwin, if he is a prisoner. Once he is at liberty and I will take my chances of making my escape again. Clara. Oh, Martin, you will break my heart. Martin. Do you think I could ever look you in the face and at the same time know I won your heart at the cost of your cousin's life ? Clara. Will nothing prevent you from taking this rash step ? Martin. Nothing! (Crosses to ^s:..) Clara. Where are you going now? Martin. To prepare for the journey back to the prison. (He crosses to her and embraces her.) Farewell, Clara, until next we meet. (He kisses her and exits, R.) Clara (wildly). Oh, Martin, don't go ! (Sinks down on o8 THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE bench before the Jire.) They may kill him once they find he is in Iheir hands again. {Springs ?//.) I will stop him if I possibly can. E7iter John, l. c. John {standing before her). Stop a moment ! IMiss Arm- strong, there is something I wish to say to you. Clara. You here, Mr. Arnold ? John. Yes, Miss Clara, I am here. Please resume your seat. {She sits as before.) There, that is better. Now there is something I wish to say to you of great importance. Clara. To me, sir ? John. Precisely. Clara. Well, sir, I am all attention. John. Well, in the first place that was a good move your friends made when they rescued the young counterfeiter Martin Jackson. Unfortunately all did not succeed as it was planned. Clara. What do you mean, sir ? John. I mean that your cousin has been captured and will be a prisoner until the criminal is given up to the officials of the prison again. Clara. For what will he be held a prisoner ? John. For aiding a prisoner to escape from the Colorado state prison ! Clara. My God ! Can no one release him ? John {aside). Now is my chance. {Aloud.) I can and ' will save him on one condition. Clara. Indeed ! And what is it ? John. That you become my wife ! Clara. Marry you? Never! John. But I love you passionately and will make you a good and faithful husband ! Remember it is to save the life of your cousin, Edwin Ray. Clara. I am the promised wife of Martin Jackson. John. But he is a counterfeiter ! Clara. He has been accused of a crime he never com- mitted ! John. Then you refuse me ? Clara. I most certainly do ! John {savagely). Then, girl, prepare to die ! (He draws knife from pocket.) THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE 39 Clara {rising in alarm). Madman, what would you do ? John. I mean to kill you. So prepare to die ! Clara (Jji alarm). Kill me ? John. Yes, kill you ! I have sworn you shall never be- come the wife of Martin Jackson. I will kill you first and then myself. CYara {calling). Help ! John {catching hold of her). Now die ! {He raises the knife. ) Ed, {dashing windoiv r. c. opeii). Hold on, old man ! I am going to take a hand in this game ! {Points revolver at John.) E7iter Martin, r. Martin. Edwin, at last ! Ed. You bet ! Effie {standing in the open door, l. c). And I am here too ! Clara ajid John, l. Martin tip r. Ed. at window, r. c. ■ SLOW CURTAIN (One week between Acts III and IV.) ACT lY SCENE. — A plahi room. Doors r. and L. ; large double door c. opens ; table and tivo chairs down l. ; sofa down r. ; piano np r. ; statues and other brie- a brae around room. Music at rise. Enter Ed., c. Ed. {looking around). Martin and his sisltr Effic liave a pretty fine place here. I just left the rest of them admiring the pictures of Martin's ancestors in the gallery below. The only picture I admired in the entire i)lace was the picture of Effie Jackson. Seems to me of late nothing else seems to be running through my mind but the name of this beautiful girl. That she would be a credit to any man as his wife is wiliiout saying. {Sits on sofa.) I wonder what would my Chicago friends say if they could only see me now ? 1 supi)Ose they would consider me a lucky dog. I would in fact considrr my- self one if I could only take back Effie Jackson to Chicago with me as my wife. But the question is, can I? Well, all I can do is to make a bluff at it and ask her. She can only say no, if she won't say yes. E?iter Effie, c. Effie (coming down^. So this is where I find you, is it? Evidently the pictures of my ancestors seem to have but little charm for you. {She sits at table.) Ed. Not so, Miss Jackson. 1 meant no disrcsi)cc;t to the pictures whatever. The fact is I am going to leave Denver and return to my home in Chicago. Effie. You are going away then ? Ed. Yes, indeed ! There is but one thing that can keep me in Denver longer than this week. Effie. Indeed ! Ed. I would never have come here if it hadn't been for my health. I think after what I have gone through in Denver, my health is fully restored. Effie. You have acted the part of a hero while in Colorado ! 40 THE GOVliRNMtNT DETECTIVE 4I Ed. Nonsense ! Effie. It is the truth. But for you my brother would now be in the Jefferson prison, instead of being under the sheher of his own roof. Ed, Strange, was it not, that on the very day we smuggled your brother into Denver, that he should have received a par- don from the governor of the state ? Effie. I have strongly suspected that Mr. Gray had a hand in getting the governor to pardon Martin. Ed. And so have I. Effie. I would really like to know who this Mr. Gray is. To me he is a man of mystery. Ed. Sometimes I think he is more than the simple Paul Gray, retired banker. Effie. 1 have also thought the same on more than one occasion. Ed. In other words you think he is some one closely con- nected with the government? Effie. I do. Ed, At all events the man is a mystery and we will have to leave him as he is. Effie. And yet he has proposed to Mrs. Marston, and has been accepted. Ed. Oh, he might easily do that, if he wanted to discover some plot. Effie, Yes, that is true enough. Ed. And as for marrying Mrs. Marston, I don't believe he ever intends to. Effie. What became of John Arnold after you let him go that day in the mountains? Ed. I don't know. Nick Morton, the detective, told me he ran across him last night, here in the streets of Denver. Effie, Indeed ! But do you really think he intended to kill your cousin Clara? Ed, No ! I think he intended to frighten her more than anything else, so that she would consent to marry him. {Rises.') But time passes. I have some business to attend to. You know I leave for Chicago in the morning. Effie (risifn^). Then you really mean to go ? Ed. I do. Effie. But you said there was one thing that might still keep you in Denver, What is it? Ed. Do you really wish to know, Effie? ^2 THE GOVERNMEMT DETECTIVE Effie. Yes. El). That one object is yourself! Effie. 1 ? I'^D. Yes, you. I love you honestly and truly, Effie Jackson, and want you to become my wife. What is your answer? Effie (cross ins;- and placing her arms around his neck'). Til is. {She kisses him.) El). My darling ! Effie (shyly). And you w^on't leave for Chicago in the morning ? Ed. Not for ten years. Let us go now and tell the good news to the rest of them. Effie. With all my heart. [^Both exeunt, r. Enter Nick, c. Nick (looking around). No one here. They told me Mr. Gray was in this room waiting for me. I don't see any sign of him around. I think I will wait for him. (Listens.) Some one is coming. A woman evidently by the rustle of her skirts. I don't want to meet any women. (Looks around.) Where can I go? I might overhear something and at the same time meet the captain when he comes. I will go in here and wait. [^Exit, L. Enter Lauka, c. Laura (sitting on sofa). To-night or never I must find out if the banker intends to make me his wife. All hope of ever winning Martin Jackson to my side has left my mind. (Passionately.) And yet, my God, how I love him! How strange I feel to-night. (Shudders.) Can anything — (lightly) pshaw ! I am growing nervous over trifles. And yet if the worst comes to the worst, this will soon end all my troubles in this world forever. (Draws glass phial from her pocket and looks at it.) One drop of this and all will be over. (To the phial.) You are a small object and can easily be broken, and yet your power is greater than all earthly monarchs. (Replaces phial in her pocket.) Enter John, r. John (calling softly). Laura. Laura. John, you here ? THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE 43 John {coolly). As you see, my dear sister. {Stands in front of her.') Laura. Are you not afraid to be found in this house after the way you have treated Martin and his future wife, Clara Armstrong ? John. Why should I ? They know nothing. Laura. Very true. But they might learn. John. What good will it do them ? They can prove noth- ing. No one besides yourself knows that it was John Arnold that placed the counterfeit bills in the pocket of Martin Jack- son's coat. I was sure of getting him out of the way in order to have the Chicago girl all to myself. But somehow or other things haven't gone just right. Once Martin was in prison I was sure of preventing his friends from seeing him. I wrote to Alexander Adams, telling him to prevent any one from seeing the prisoner. x'\s a member of Captain Bodldn's band he was bound to obey me I Laura. As you are the leader of the band he certainly was. John {in alarm). Hush! don't say that here. Walls have ears, you know. Laura {looking around). Nonsense ! You are growing nervous. There is no one in sound of our voices. John. That may be true enough. Still it will do no harm to be careful. Laura. What answer did Alexander make to your request ? John. He said it was impossible to do so. Laura. Imj^ossible ? John. Yes, impossible. Laura. And why? John. Because he had already received a letter from Paul Gray, which was signed by the governor of the state, directing him to allow the prisoner to see all his friends that would visit the prison for that purpose. Laura. Paul Gray again ? John. Yes, the same old chap again. If I was a bit super- stitious I would look upon the man as my nemesis. However, my dear sister, I must congratulate you on the very mysterious gentleman you are going to have for a husband. Laura. I haven't married him yet. John. No, nor I don't think you ever will. Laura. What do you mean, John? 44 THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE John. Nothing, Laura, simply nothing. But take my ad- vice and find out what he intends to do. Laura. I mean to. John. And what will you do if he declines to make you his wife ? Laura. I will have him arrested as a counterfeiter. John. How do you know he is one ? Laura. He confessed himself one the night he asked me to become his wife. John. Good ! Then instead of one man going to prison from this house to-night, there will be two ! Laura. What do you mean by two? John. I mean I have not yet given up all hope of winning the Chicago girl. To-night I will publicly accuse Martin Jack- son of being a counterfeiter, and the notorious leader, Captain Bodkin ! Once he is out of my way I will lose no tmie in making Clara Armstrong my wife. Laura. What if she still refuses? John. What do I care for her refusal ? I tell you, Laura, I am growing desperate. She must and shall become my wife. Laura. Let us retire for a while and at the right time have the police here to make the double arrest. John. Very well. I will write a note and send it to the police at once. Come, Laura. [Both exeunt^ R. Enter Nick, l. Nick {looking after thcni). Well, if they are not the two precious ones we have been after for over three years. And to think we never suspected him of being the head, and, in fact, none other than Bodkin himself. No wonder we had a sharp pair to deal witli. No one for a moment would suspect the beautiful young widow, Mrs. Laura Marston, of being such a desperate criminal. And she is going to denounce to the police Paul Gray if he refuses to marry her. I wonder in what part of the house the captain is ? Enter Paul, c. Paul. I am here, Nick. Nick. And you have heard ? Paul. I have heard everything. {Sits on sofa.) Nick {sitting at ta/?/e). And what are you going to do with them ? THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE 45 Paul. I am going to let them carry out their schemes so far and no farther. At the proper time I will arrest them. You, Nick, remain near at hand so that you can make prisoners of John and his sister. Keep a close eye on John, for he might suspect something was wrong and give us the slip. Nick. Have no fear, I will keep an eye on him and my hand too. Paul. I will attend to Mrs. Marston myself. Nick. Very well, captain. Paul. The day of reckoning is close at hand, and my old friend, Alexander Adams, I won't forget either. Tjie govern- ment never forgets a counterfeiter, eh, Nick ? Nick. Never, captain ! Paul. Leave me now, Nick. I wish to be alone. Above all keep a good watch on John, and don't let him escape what- ever you do. Nick {rising). Never fear, captain. When John Arnold leaves this house to-night it will be as my prisoner. [^Exif, c. Paul. To think I never suspected John Arnold and his sister before is what makes me angry. True, I thought by pro- posing to Laura I might learn something that would be of some benefit to me. And you can bet I have. I never had any in- tention of making her my wife. After this the best thing I can do is to suspect every one and trust no one. Enter Laura, r. Laura. Ah, Paul, is it here I find you ? {Sits at table.) Paul. As you see, Mrs. Marston. Laura. Mrs. Marston ? Why use this strange name, Paul ? Formerly you called me Laura ! Paul. Did I? Laura. You certainly did. You remember the night you asked me to be your wife and I consented, 1 gave you per- mission to call me by my Christian name. Have you forgotten the night I speak of? Paul. No, seeing there is no reason for my doing so. Laura. How strange you speak this evening. What is the meaning of it ? Do you not intend to keep your promise and make me your wife ? Paul (coolly). Such, madam, is my intention. I have changed my mind and decline to form any alliance with you. Laura (jumping up). You shall suffer for this. I have 46 THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE powerful friends, and they shall see that this insult shall not go unpunished. Paul {coolly). Very well, madam, appeal to your friends. I shall give them all the satisfaction they want. Laura {walking up and down). You shall hear from my brother John for this. Paul. Certainly, madam. I prefer to argue the question with him above all others. Laura {furiously). I will denounce you to the police as a counterfeiter and have you thrown into prison. Paul. You can prove nothing, my dear madam. Laura. I can prove everything. You confessed to me yourself that you had made all your wealth dealing in counter- feit money. Paul. My dear madani, you should at once go on the stage. As an actress requiring emotional talent you would completely fill the bill. Laura {savagely). Oh, you devil, it's your time to laugh now. But when next we meet it will be mine. [Exit, c. Paul {rising). You beautiful devil, when next we do meet it will be for the last time outside the walls of a prison. Now to see what the rest of them are doing. \^Exit, r. Enter James, Martin and Clara, c. James {sitting on sofa). I wonder what became of Edwin? I haven't seen him since he left the i)icture gallery a while ago. Martin. No, nor I haven't seen Effie since he left the gal- lery either. {Laughs.) 1 noticed he wasn't gone long when she followed him. {Sits at table.) Clara {laughifig). You don't suspect anything, do you? {She sits R. of table.) Martin. It's not necessary for me to suspect anything. I know my sister is in love with your cousin, and what is more I know your cousin is in love with my sister. Clara. A fair exchange is no robbery, you know. {Laughs.) Martin. You are right. And there is no one I would rather see my sister's husband than Edwin. He is all that is noble and generous. James. You may well say that, Martin. The boy is a THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE 47 credit to any nation, and God knows I love him the same as if he was my own son instead of my nephew. You can never know how I felt that night in the mountin cabin when he failed to appear. Martin. It was a lucky thing for me that Edwin appeared when he did, as I had just made up my mind to return to the prison and give myself up, and thus release Edwin if they held him a prisoner for aiding me to escape. James. Such a case would simply have been madness. Clara. I told him so at the time, but he wouldn't listen to me. James. Have you never had any suspicion who it was that placed the counterfeit bills in your pocket that night at the home of Mrs. Marston ? Martin. No. All those present that evening were friends, and have proved themselves such with the exception of one of them. James. One of them, Martin ? Martin. Yes, one of them. Clara. Which one of them is it ? Martin. John Arnold I Clara {with a shudder). Don't mention his name again, Martin. 1 shall never forget what occurred that morning in the mountains, and God only knows what might have hap- pened if it hadn't been for the timely arrival of Edwin. Martin. If 1 had been in Edwin's place John Arnold would never have left that room alive. But then Edwin and I are two different persons. Clara. We must all learn to forgive and forget. Martin. That is true enough. I have it. Why didn't I think of it before ? James. What is the matter, Martin ? Clara. What excites you, dear? Martin {jumping up). I have good reason to be. At last I have found the one who placed the bills in my pocket that night ! James. You have? Martin. I have ! Fool that I am not to have suspected it before. Clara. Who is the person you suspect, Martin ? Martin, John Arnold is the man. James. John Arnold ? Martin. Yes, John Arnold and no other. 4.8 THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE Clara. But you have no proof of his guilt. Martin. I don't need any proof. 1 have all I want. You remember when 1 went to the supper table I left my overcoat hanging up in the entrance. While at the supper table you remember John excused himself and left the room for a while. What would have been easier than to have slipped the bills into my overcoat pocket, and then send word to the police ? Of course when they came the coat was searched, the bills found, and I was arrested for being a counterfeiter. Clara. Yes, Martin, I know. But don't forget Mr. Gray also excused himself from the table that night, and left the room. Might he not have placed the bills in your pocket ? Martin. No. Mr. Gray left the room after John did, and besides the man has proved himself too good a friend in the hour of need to suspect him. No, John Arnold is the one who placed the bills there. I am sure of it ! But unfortu- nately we have no proof of his guilt. Clara. What could have been his motive in doing such a deed? Martin. That is more than I can tell. James. And what if your suspicions prove true, Martin ? What action will you take against him? Martin. I will do nothing. There was a time while I was a prisoner I thought that if I could only place my hand on the neck of the man who sent me there I would surely strangle him ! But now I am satisfied to let the law take its course. Clara. Poor Martin, how you must have suffered ! Martin, You may well say so. I would rather be dead than again be a prisoner there. James. I don't blame you, my boy. Martin. But let us talk of something else. jEnfer Ed. a/id Effie, c. Ed. Yes, talk about me. (Effie sta7ids at Martin's side.") Martin. Edwin and my sister. Ed. You bet. You can't lose me in Denver. Clara. Where have you been all evening, Edwin ? Ed. {coming dow?i to Clara). Look here, sis, you will V THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE 49 have to quit talking to me like that. My future wife don't like it, and neither do I ! All {in surprise). Your future wife ? Ed. Yes, my future wife. Clara. What do you mean, Edwin ? Ed. (coolly). I mean that I intend to make Effie Jackson the future Mrs. Edwin Ray. Martin. My sister. Ed. Well, she holds that relationship to you at the present time, but she will soon be my wife. Martin {to his sister). Is that right, Effie ? Effie {shyly). Yes, Martin. Martin. And do you love him well enough to marry him ? Effie {holding down her head). I do. (She crosses and stands beside Clara who rises and kisses her,) Martin. Then you can have him. I don't know of any one more worthy of her than you are, Edwin. Take her and be happy. Ed. {shaking hands with him). Thank you, Martin. Martin {to the girls). Are you satisfied now, Effie? Effie {bashfully). More than satisfied, Martin. Ed. {slapping his tmcle on the shoulder). Are you not sur- prised, old man ? James. Not at all. My dear boy, there is nothing in the world that you can do that would surprise me for a moment. I am too well used to you. Ed. I suppose so. James. It's a fact, I assure you. Ed. I haven't the slightest doubt of it. However, my days of surprising you are over. I intend to settle down and become a decent member of society. James. I trust so for the sake of the future Mrs. Ray. Ed. You will see if I don't. Enter John, q., followed by Nick. All. John Arnold ! Martin. How dare you come where you are not wanted ? Leave this house at once. Enter Paul, r., and stands listening. 50 THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE John. When I leave this house you will go with me as a prisoner. Enter Laura, l. Martin. What do you mean, John Arnold ? John {coolly). I accuse you of being Captain Bodkin, the great counterfeiter ! Martin. It's a lie. You will have to prove what you say. John. I can and will prove what I say. Paul {coming down to group). Very well, John, I wish you would. Laura. And I accuse this man of being his confederate ! All. a counterfeiter ! Laura. Yes, a counterfeiter. Paul {looki?ig aroufid). Good ! All the characters are present for the closing scenes in this drama of life. Listen all of you and I will tell you a short story that will amuse and at the same time astonish some of you. Before I go any further I wish to state to those of you who may wish to escape, at the end of the story, that the house is surrounded by police. Now for the story. Some five years ago a strange band of counter- feiters was formed under the leadership of a man known as Captain Bodkin. Their object was to counterfeit the money of the United States. The counterfeit money dealt in by this band was done in such an expert manner that it could hardly be distinguished from the genuine article. The poHce and members of the secret service bureau were baffled. I was in England at the time and the government sent for me. I came back to America and after four years of hard labor, I have been successful in my task. I now know you, John Arnold, as the mysterious Captain Bodkin of the counterfeiters' league, and your sister as your accomplice. I proposed marriage to your sister, not because I intended to keep my word, but in order to find out all I could. John. Who are you ? Paul. To you all I am known as Paul Gray, the banker. My right name is Capt. Wilbur Foster, of the United States Secret Service bureau ! {To Nick.) Remove the prisoners ! Laura {placing hand in her bosom and withdrawing glass phial). I will baffle you all yet ! Paul. Stop her ! Laura. Too late ! THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE 5^ {She swallows contents of phial and falls to the stage.) Martin Qyendlng over her). She is dead ! Paul. She died as she has lived ! Nick and John, c. Martin on his knees beside James, Ed. and Laura, l. Paul, r. c. Effie and Clara, l. SLOW CURTAIN *5r^ THP MAfiKTfiilTF Farce in Three Acts. Twelve males, four lllC ITlAUlJlAAiC females. Costumes, modem; scenery, all interior. Plays two hours and a half. THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITP ^r^ZjZL^^l Costumes, modern ; scenery, all interiors PI ys a. tull evening. THF PBflFI Ml ATF I*layuiFourAc<.s ^even males, five females. iUC rAUrMUAlly g^enery, three interiors, rather elaborate; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THE SCHOOLMISTRESS s^iii^^^itrrntrr;, three interiors. Plays a full evening. THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY ^ZtlTltZ^'Z tumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. ^WFFT T AYFNDFR Comedy in Three Acts. Seven males, four jn£Cl I^A»IinilIill females. Scene, a single interior; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THF TIIWFS Comedy in Four Acts. Six males, seven females. liiC lliU£iJ Scene, a single interior; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THF WFA¥FR SFlf comedy in Three Acts. Eight males, eight lllC WCAHCIi JEA fgj^ales. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. Plays a full evening. A WIFE WITHOUT A SMILE "^ZZ ^^''Z^Ji::. modern ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full ©veuing Sent prepaid on receipt of price by falter i^. TBafitr & Ccmpanv No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts Cfje 5S^illiam 5^atren CtJition of ^la?s ^titt, 15 Centjef €acl) AS YOU \IKV IT Comedy in Five Acts. Thirteen males, four AO IVU I4IAI4 11 females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenei-y, va- ried. Plays a full evening. CAMIT T F I^rama in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. Cos- S^AlnlLthli tumes, modern ; scenery, varied. Plays a full evening. cts. Thirteen males, three females, costumes, G r eek. Plays a f ul 1 evening. IXTAHlVfAD Play in Five Acts. Thirteen males, three females. lllUUiTlAI\ Scenery varied; cos MARY STIIAPT Tragedy in Five Acts, Thirteen males, four fe- iTlAIVl D lU/iUl males, and supernumeraries. Costumes, of the period ; scenery, varied and elaborate. Plays a full evening. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE ^;i^^^^^ gS^tj; picturesque ; scenery varied. Plays a full evening. PirHFI IFII Pl^y ^^ Tiye Acts. Fifteen males, tAvo females. Scen- l\lvllliiML(tl ery elaborate ; costumes of the jieriud. Plays a full evening. THF PIVAIS Comedy iu Five Acts. Nine males, five females. 1 111/ 111 T ALtJ Scenery varied ; costumes of the period. Plays a full evening. SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER StL;^ fS^^et-'Ice/e^nS-. ried ; costumes of the period. Plays a full evening. TWELFTH NIGHT; OR, WHAT YOU WILL STArmSi^ three females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, varied. Plays a full evening. Sent prepaid on receipt of price by Walttv ^. TBafitr & Compant No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts .V -.v*^ '^-./ ^^'"*. /ii^; \/ :J^K^ %^ . /'^^^. ../ ^\ -3.^.. '^ o . , * o V O „ ' 4 \ C •^--0^ 11 > » ^ :* »*8fe'': ^^^'^*'