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The Sobmarine Shel 
 
 A War Play in Four Acts 
 
 By 
 MANSFIELD SCOTT 
 
 Author of ''The Air- Spy,'' ''The Conjurer ;' etc. 
 
 The acting rights of this play are strictly reserved. Perform- 
 ance may be given by amateurs on payment to the autlior of a 
 royalty often dollars ($10.00) for the first performance or fifteen 
 dollars (^? 15.00) for two performances. Correspondence on this 
 subject should be addressed to the author in care of the pub- 
 lisliers. The professional stage rights are also strictly reserved, 
 and performance by professional actors, given in advertised 
 places of aiTUisement and for profit, are forbidden. Persons who 
 may wish to produce this play publicly and professionally should 
 apply to the author, as above. 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
 
 1918 
 

 y^^^^Os, 
 
 The Submarine Shell 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Hans Kraft, a/ms James McGrady, 
 Otto Herman, alias William. 
 Mr. Warren Middlebrook. 
 Monsieur Charles LeClair. 
 Professor Henry Westerberg. 
 Detective Albert Bradbury. 
 Inspector Malcome Steele. 
 " Tom Cloff." 
 Mrs. Middlebrook. 
 Eleanor Middlebrook. 
 Margaret Linden. 
 Delia. 
 
 " Tom Cloff'' is represented by another rjie7nber of the cast, 
 and does not call for an addiiional actor. 
 
 The Time of the Play.— August ii and 12, 1919. 
 The Place. — The home of Warren Middlebrook, an American 
 inventor, in a suburb of New York City. 
 
 SYNOPSIS 
 
 Act I. The Hving-room. August 11, after dinner. 
 Act 11. Same as Act I. August 12, i : 30 p. m. 
 Act III. The private laboratory. That evening, 7 : 30. 
 Act IV. Same as Act III. Later, 10 p. M. 
 
 TMP9O-Q07329 
 
 Copyright, 19 18, by J. Mansfield Scott 
 as author and proprietor 
 
 ProfessioJial stage and moviiig picture rights reserved 
 
 4i/S ,3^CJ0 5015 
 
 ^-T^t> ( 
 
The Submarine Shell 
 
 ACT 1 
 
 SCENE. — The Uvhifj-rooni at the home of Warren 
 MiDDLEBROOK. August II, after dinner. The scene 
 is a zv ell- furnished room of comfortudle appearance. 
 There is a table near c, and a smaller one at r. Door 
 into library at r. Door into hall near L, at back. 
 Special door into laboratory on side at l. 
 
 (Hans Kraft and Otto Herman are standing near 
 the laboratory door, talking in lozv tones. Kraft is 
 a thick-set, short man, smooth-shaven, about thirty 
 years of age. Herman is somezvhat older, and ap- 
 pears to be a perfect type of English butler. He is 
 tall, zvith dark complexion. Both of these men, in 
 their efforts to counterfeit the speech of an Irish- 
 American and of an uneducated Englishman, re- 
 spectively, are inclined to overdo their impersona- 
 tions a trifle.) 
 
 Kraft. Yes, yes, my man ! Unless Middlebrook 
 gives in at once, we destroy that laboratory at ten to- 
 morrow night ! 
 
 Enter Delia from r. She is a stout, good-natnred Irish- 
 zuoman of about thirty-five — not an imitation. The 
 tzvo men glance up at once, and cease talking 
 abruptly. 
 
 Delia. Ah, an' here you are, I see, both o' you ! 
 You're one fine laberratorry assistant, you are, Jim Mc- 
 Grady! A right lot o' worrk I've ever seen you do in 
 this place ! 
 
 Herman. That his what they call a " snap '* hover 
 'ere, I guess, Delia. 'E gets the run o' the 'ouse without 
 doing hanything. 
 
 3 
 
4 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 Dklia. You said it, William. But just you wait till 
 the iiiisthress comes down! I'll bank on you not doin' 
 much loafin' after that, either one- of you! Misther 
 Middlebrook can maybe invent them fancy phwat-cher- 
 may-call-ems of his, an' I'll allow as he's got brains, an' 
 all that, but I'm thinkin' it's the misthress phwat can 
 make folks tend to their worrk ! 
 
 Krai-t. Faith, Delia, an' you sure 
 
 {He slops suddenly.) 
 
 Delia {quickly). It's Misther Middlebrook. Take 
 care if he catches you here, Jim. 
 
 (Kraft hurriedly retreats to the laboratory, closing the 
 door. Delia hastens into the hall, accompanied by 
 Herman. Enter Warren Middlebrook frojn r. 
 Middlebrook is a rather large gentleman of middle 
 age. His manner is one of great dignity and gravity. 
 He has a rather pale, smooth-shaven face, and his 
 hair is prematurely white.) 
 
 Midd. {catching sight of Herman leaving). Oh — 
 er — William. 
 
 Herman {retnrning). Yes, sir. 
 
 Midd. {carefidly removing his glasses and placing 
 tJiem in his case). Please — er — please step to the labora- 
 tory and tell James that I would like to see him a m.oment. 
 
 Herman. Very good, sir. 
 
 {Goes to door of laboratory and calls. Kraft enters.) 
 
 Midd. Thank you, V/illiam. That is all. (Her^ian 
 leaves.) Now, James, in regard to — er — why, I was 
 certain that there was some matter which I wished to 
 discuss with you. {He removes his glasses from the case 
 and replaces them upon his nose.) Ah, yes, I recall it 
 now. It is in regard to to-morrow morning's laboratory 
 work. 
 
 Kraft. Yes, sor. 
 
 Midd. Now, I shall not be able to give any time to 
 laboratory work until after luncheon to-morrow. I am 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL t 
 
 quite decided upon that point — quite decided indeed— in 
 spite of all the urging which Professor Westerberg has 
 done. Ah, yes, 1 recall now what I wish you to do this 
 morning. 
 
 Kraft. There is but very little more to be done on 
 the gun, sor. With another two hours' work she would 
 be ready for you to attach the shell. 
 
 MiDD. (rather impaiiently). Er — that is of no conse- 
 quence, for the present ! This is in regard to a very dif- 
 ferent matter. Besides, James, I have told you many 
 times that you cannot be permitted to work upon that gun 
 unless I am with you. Let that be — er — quite definite! 
 Now, your work for to-morrow morning will consist in — ■ 
 in— er — in making these tests for me. {He searches 
 vainly in his coat pockets.) Well, it appears that I have 
 left the required papers on my desk up-stairs. {He hesi- 
 tates.) I believe — er — I believe I had better return and 
 look them up. Er — kindly wait here just a moment. It 
 was quite stupid of me to forget them — quite stupid 
 indeed. [Exit. 
 
 Rei^nter Herman from the hall. He glances quickly 
 around the room. 
 
 Kraft. And now to business again. Complete your 
 report. 
 
 Herman. There is very little more, Herr Kraft, 
 but 
 
 Kraft. Stop that ! Many times have I ordered you to 
 address me as Jim ! Come, come, our time is short ! 
 
 Herman. Tom Cloff was here at one this morning. 
 I let him in by the kitchen window. He 
 
 Kraft. At one, you say? Did you talk with him? 
 
 Herman. For ten minutes, sir. He wishes your re- 
 port at once, and must know whether or not you have yet 
 been able to see the inside of the shell. 
 
 Kraft. Ach Himmel ! It is always that ! Again and 
 again he expects me to accomplish the impossible. How 
 could I have seen the shell, when the gun itself is not 
 yet altogether completed, and when Middlebrook stands 
 over me every instant while the gun is uncovered? 
 
O THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 Herman. Then you have not succeeded? 
 
 Kraft. That is impossible, Otto! The shell is not 
 yet put together ; its parts are in his private room. 
 
 Herman. Why, surely you have worked upon it ! I 
 have seen it in the laboratory myself, covered with 
 canvas. 
 
 Kraft. Ach, Otto, that is not the shell ! That is 
 merely the gun itself. Of what value is that to our 
 country ? Bah ! You are a fool to think that that 
 machine could ever harm the submarine ! It is the shell 
 which is the vital key of the whole thing! It is the 
 shell alone which can bring downfall to our people ! 
 
 Herman. And that you have not seen? 
 
 Kraft. Ach, no, I tell you ! But concerning the 
 threat sent here by Tom Cloff, Has Middlebrook taken 
 alarm? Has he shown any sign? 
 
 Herman. None at all, sir. 
 
 Kraft. Then we'll go through with it to the finish ! 
 
 Herman (startled). What? Not that! We'll not 
 cause an actual explosion in the laboratory ! 
 
 Kraft. Most certainly. Otto. The orders of Cloff 
 must be carried out. 
 
 Herman. But the wreckage, sir! The fire, and loss 
 of life, perhaps ! And the danger to us ! 
 
 Kraft. Enough of that ! You are not here to con- 
 sider your own safety. 
 
 Herman. But how can it be done? You know as 
 well as I that it is impossible to smuggle any explosive 
 past the guards into this house. As for making it your- 
 self, that is equally impossible. You have not access to 
 any materials. It is useless 
 
 Kraft. ^ Those are the orders of Tom Cloif, Otto. It 
 is his business to furnish the explosive. It is ours to 
 carry out his commands. 
 
 Herman. But why must you obey him, and carry 
 out this frightful crime? Are you afraid of him? 
 
 Kraft (sternly). No more of that! It is not Tom 
 Cloff that I serve ; it is the Fatherland. 
 
 Herman. But that makes it no clearer. Why is this 
 man your superior, and mine also, that we must obey his 
 every order? And why does he come here always at 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 7 
 
 night, with a black band masking his face? Who is this 
 man? What right 
 
 Kraft {quickly). Stop there! Do you value your 
 life? -^ 
 
 HexRman (^/ar/Za/). Most certainly, sir ! Butwhat 
 
 Kraft. Then let Tom Cloif and his identity alone' 
 He IS the agent of Von Holtzer. Is that enough? 
 
 Herman. Of Von Holtzer? Tom Cloff ? 
 
 Kraft. Precisely. It is our part to obey. Under- 
 
 ^^;"]1/, ^^^^' ^^^^^ y^^^ overheard anything between 
 Middlebrook and his wife? 
 
 Herman. I have, sir. Middlebrook is too stupid to 
 suspect any real danger. But when Mrs. Middlebrook 
 came home this mornmg 
 
 {He glances toward the hall door.) 
 Kraft. Yes, yes. Go on. 
 
 Herman. Mrs. Middlebrook has sensed trouble al- 
 ready. She is considering, sir, sending for Inspector 
 Steele. 
 
 Kraft. Ach Himmel ! It is the worst of my fears ! 
 The curse of the Fatherland upon the intuition of a 
 woman ! V/ill he come ? 
 
 Herman. I cannot know. She has not yet 
 
 Kraft. We must know! Mein Gott ! but he would 
 
 rum all ! Unless— unless 
 
 Herman. Unless we can prevent his coming? 
 Kraft. No, no, it is not that. Far better. Otto. If 
 they talk agam, you're to overhear them, and find out her 
 decision. Get that? 
 
 I-Ierman. I understand, sir. 
 
 Kraft. Gut! Then get your results. Keep watch 
 of your cockney English every minute. Make sure 
 
 that (Delta suddenly enters from the hall, and he 
 
 shifts at once.) Make shure that Misther Middlebrook 
 dont catch you a-loafin' 'roun' here like this. If he 
 
 does, my man 
 
 Delia. Faith,, an' there's no tellin' phwat's liable to 
 happen ye if he does, William. Ye'd better mind verself 
 Herman. 'Ave little fear of that, Delia. 'E will 
 never find hanything to complain of with me. 
 
8 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 (Delia crosses to the library door, and holds up a 
 zvarning finger. ) 
 
 Delia. Take care now, both o' you. He's comin' 
 back. [Exit. 
 
 (Herman makes a hasty exit to the hall. Middle- 
 brook enters from the library, finding Kraft alone.) 
 
 MiDD. These are the — er — I have the papers here, 
 Jarnes. They are formula for dyes, as you will observe. 
 This is — er — this matter is in connection with the dye 
 compound Vv^hich my visitors, Monsieur LeClair and Pro- 
 fessor Westerberg, wish to obtain. You understand what 
 these are. 
 
 Kraft. Dye formulae, sor. And the compound? 
 
 MiDD. Ah, yes, James. Yes, indeed, the compound. 
 That is what I wislj tested again, you see. Here, this 
 will indicate the process. 
 
 Kraft. Then for the present, sor, we are to work 
 upon this dye compound instead of the submarine shell? 
 
 MiDD. Er — yes, James. My visitors, you see, would 
 like to complete this matter as quickly as possible. They 
 represent rival European dyeing concerns, you under- 
 stand, and have come here to make me offers for the use 
 of my latest dyeing secret. 
 
 Kraft. I understand that, sor. 
 
 MiDD, It is a contest between these two, you see. So 
 we — we must complete the matter as quickly as possible. 
 
 Kraft. Very well, sor. [Exit to laboratory. 
 
 MiDD. Er — William. 
 
 Herman {entering). Yes, sir. 
 
 MiDD. li — er — if Mrs. Middlebrook is not with tlie 
 guests at present — er— kindly tell her that the compound 
 
 must contain the follov/ing Oh, no, I beg your 
 
 pardon, William. Er — tell her that a telegram came for 
 her just a moment ago. Dear me ! I seem to be becom- 
 ing more distracted every day ! 
 
 Herman. Very good, sir. [Exit. 
 
 (Middlebrook walks to the table at c, zvhere he 
 searches among the books for an instant. Enter 
 Mrs. Middlebrook. Mrs. Middlebrook is a lady 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 9 
 
 of medium height and middle age. Her manner, in 
 contrast to that of her husband, suggests alertness 
 and quick-wittedness. As she enters, she is crum- 
 pling a yellow envelope in her hand.) 
 
 Mrs. M. Warren. 
 
 MiDD. Er — yes, my dear. 
 
 Mrs. M. I must talk to you again, about this danger. 
 I feel that we are not 
 
 MiDD. Oh — er — Lucy, this is nonsense! Idiotic! 
 Why, it's absurd for you to think of the submarine shell 
 being discovered, for the thing has not yet been put 
 together. Why — absolutely absurd! 
 
 Mrs. M. But that is not the only danger. An enemy 
 might easily wreck the gun itself in the laboratory. 
 
 MiDD. Er — quite ridiculous ! Oh ! Upon my word, 
 Lucy ! Now that you speak of such a — er — possibility, 
 you bring to my mind a very strange letter that I re- 
 ceived Monday. I had quite forgotten it. {He searches 
 his pockets.) It v/as certainly a weird communication, I 
 assure you. But — er — absolutely atrocious ! Er — quite 
 preposterous, in fact. Ah, here it is. I shall read it to 
 you. 
 
 Mrs. M. What could it have been ? 
 
 MiDD. It is — er — postmarked " New York City." 
 The letter itself is — er — typewritten. {He reads.) "Mr. 
 Warren Middlebrook: — You are nearing success in your 
 efforts against the submarine. Your work in this line 
 must cease at once. There are two courses open to you. 
 A group of government men from England and France 
 are due in New York on the evening of August twelfth, 
 to examine your invention. You must give up all work 
 upon your new invention before that date. We are in a 
 position which will enable us to know at once whether 
 or not you have done so. If your work has not been 
 completely given up when the government officials land in 
 New York on the evening of the twelfth, your laboratory, 
 together with a large portion of the rest of your house, 
 will be blown up at the moment that these men land. 
 This is not a boast. We are backed by William Von 
 Holtzer, well known as the chief of German spies in the 
 
lO THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 United States, and we shall not fail. This is your last 
 warning. Signed, ' Tom Cloff, bomb-setter.' " 
 
 Mrs. M. Warren ! Why haven't you told me of this ? 
 
 MiDD. You see — er — what a prepostero.us bit of 
 literature it is. I had imagined that it would amuse you. 
 
 Mrs. M. (with gesture of despair). Amuse me? Do 
 you call it amusing to feel that this house may be blown 
 up at any minute? Considering what you are on the 
 point of doing against the submarine, it is only natural 
 that Germany should make efforts to stop you. 
 
 MiDD. But — er — this house is under guard, you re- 
 member. 
 
 Mrs. M. Yes, the outside is carefully guarded. But 
 of what use is that, when you permit dangerous strangers 
 to live inside? 
 
 Midd. Oh, I — er — I simply detest that word " danger- 
 ous." Er — most especially when you apply it so — er — 
 indiscriminately — to these gentlemen. 
 
 Mrs. M. But what can we know of their intentions? 
 
 Midd. But I assure you, Lucy, that they are both very 
 estimable gentlemen. Most estimable. Monsieur Le- 
 Clair I met in Paris, nearly five years ago. He is a — 
 er — Frenchman, and of course most loyal to the Allies. 
 
 Mrs. M. (doubtfully). Oh, very well. But what 
 about that other man, Westerberg, may I ask? Is he, 
 also, a Frenchman? 
 
 Midd. Why — er — why, no, Lucy. In fact, he is — 
 er — he is not a Frenchman. But he is quite neutral in 
 regard to the war, you understand. His sole interest 
 here is — scientific. 
 
 Mrs. M. Warren, there is danger from one of those 
 two strangers ! 
 
 Midd. Why, that is preposterous ! Absurd ! You 
 Avould — er — you would do better if you would — er — in- 
 vestigate this person whom Eleanor is bringing home 
 with her ! 
 
 Mrs. M. Warren, why should you speak that way of 
 Margaret Linden? 
 
 Midd. Oh, I don't know, Lucy ! Her — er — her man- 
 ner simply exasperates me every minute ! She*s so — er — 
 unnatural ! 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 11 
 
 Mrs. M. (laughing slighlly). Unnatural? Well, per- 
 haps she has a little reason to be unnatural. She's a 
 splendid girl at heart, and the best friend Eleanor ever 
 had. I'm very glad to welcome her here. But in the 
 case of these two men, it's different. To think of running 
 such a risk, on the very day when you can prove to the 
 world that America shall not be terrorized by the under- 
 sea boat ! Warren, vje must have Inspector Steele ! 
 
 MiDD. Oh — er — Lucy, we can't treat Detective Brad- 
 bury that way, especially since his presence here is so — 
 er — enjoyable to Eleanor. And there would not be the 
 slightest chance of our obtaining Steele, the head of the 
 National Secret Service. 
 
 Mrs. M. Oh, I think there would. 
 
 (She glances quickly toward the hall door. Herman 
 is standing in the doorzvay. ) 
 
 Herman. You rang for me, sir? 
 MiDD. Why — er — why, no, William. 
 Herman. I beg your pardon, sir. 
 
 Enter Eleanor Middlebrook, followed by Margaret 
 Linden. Eleanor is a very attractive young lady 
 of about tzventy-two, rather short of stature, zvith 
 dark eyes and hair. Margaret is a complete con- 
 trast to Eleanor. She is rather tall and slight. 
 Her manner seems almost that of a much older, 
 woman than a young lady of twenty-five ; there is in 
 it an unusual amount of reserve. Her bearing con- 
 veys just a suggestion of old-fashioned training. 
 Eleanor hurries to her mother. 
 
 Mrs. M. Oh, hello, Eleanor! {She kisses her.) 
 Why, Margaret Linden ! It does seem wonderful to see 
 you ! I'm so glad you're here ! 
 
 Marg. Oh, thank you, Mrs. Middlebrook. You may 
 be sure I'm glad to be here. I'd rather be with Eleanor 
 than anywhere, you know. 
 
 Mrs. M. Warren, I'm sure you remember Margaret 
 Linden. 
 
 MiDD. (a trifle coldly). Er — how do you do, Miss — 
 er — Linden. Why — er — I do remember you. 
 
12 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 Enter Monsieur Charles LeClair and Professor 
 Henry Westerberg, from the library. Monsieur 
 LeClair is a small, slight gentleman, with a short 
 black moustache. He is very active and talkative. 
 Westerberg is almost exactly the opposite, being 
 larger, somewhat older, and usually inclined toward 
 silence. He zvears a large, curling moustache of 
 light brown. 
 
 LeClair (/o Westerberg). Ah, I do most repeatedly 
 assure you, Monsieur. Eet eez next to zee impossible to 
 make zee American servant comprehend ! 
 
 West. Upon mine honor, it is that ! 
 
 LeClair. But see ! Here eez Monsieur zee inventor 
 himself. 
 
 West. It is goot, mine f rient. 
 
 LeClair. Ah, Monsieur Middlebrook, but I find eet 
 all impossible to make comprehend your servant to a 
 thing that I have said! And to rest idle in zee library 
 during zee past hour, in zee effort to make an under- 
 standing with your servant, and with this servant more 
 and more uncomprehending as zee hour goes by — eet eez 
 of zee most annoying! 
 
 MiDD. I am very sorry, gentlemen. Er — let me pre- 
 sent my daughter, Eleanor, Monsieur LeClair, and her 
 friend Miss Linden. Monsieur Charles LeClair. And — 
 er — Professor Henry Westerberg. 
 
 West, (quite surprised). Dat is your daughter? 
 But when I knew you in Berlin, Herr Middlebrook 
 
 MiDD. Oh — er — yes, indeed. Professor Westerberg. 
 My — er — my adopted daughter. Miss Eleanor Middle- 
 brook. 
 
 (They take chairs.) 
 
 LeClair (to Eleanor). Mademoiselle has been away 
 during zee last four days, n'est-ce pas? 
 
 Elea. Yes, Monsieur LeClair. I had to go away to 
 Boston, with the members of our club, to attend to the 
 shipment of the bags for the soldiers. It was awfully 
 annoying, wasn't it, Margaret? 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL I3 
 
 (Margarf.t giz'cs a Hi He laugh. It is a very quiet 
 laugh^not at all like the merry, care-free ones which 
 accompany Eleanor's remarks.) 
 
 Marg. But we mustn't try to count the annoying 
 things in war-time. 
 
 Elea. {sighing). No, I suppose not. But even when 
 M'e are home again, I can't get into my own house without 
 all this red tape of passing the plain-clothesmen outside. 
 It's terribly inconvenient ! 
 
 Marg. I imagine it is. But then, Eleanor, you must 
 remember that such a work as your father has just ac- 
 complished is worth almost any cost. 
 
 LeClair. Eet cez well spoken, Mademoiselle! 
 
 Mrs. M. Then you've heard about Mr. Middlebrook's 
 invention ? 
 
 Marg. I certainly have, Mrs. Middlebrook. Why, 
 even our soldiers in France have heard something about 
 it. Even before I left, a month ago, they knew that he 
 had perfected a shell which would cleave the water and 
 wreck a submerged U-boat. 
 
 LeClair. Your shell eez entirely completed, Mon- 
 sieur ? 
 
 MiDD. Er — yes, Monsieur LeClair. We have had 
 several very successful tests. All that remains is to con- 
 vince the men who are coming from England and France 
 to-morrow. 
 
 West. It is a most admirable invention! 
 
 Mrs. M. But tell us, Margaret. You've been to 
 France with the Red Cross, haven't you? 
 
 Marg. Yes, indeed. For nearly two years. 
 
 Elea. Oh, Mother, she told me some perfectly zvon- 
 derfiil things on the way here! You imist hear some o£ 
 them ! Oh, tell Mother about 
 
 Enter Herman. 
 
 Herman. Detective Bradbury 'as come, Mr. Middle- 
 brook. 
 
 MiDD. Oh — er — yes, William. Show him in, please. 
 
 \Exii Herman.- 
 Mrs. M. You remember Mr. Bradbury, don't you. 
 
14 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 Margaret? I think it was just after we met him that 
 you left for France. 
 
 Enter Detective Albert Bradbury. The privaie de- 
 tective is an active, powerfully built man of medium 
 height, apparently about tzventy-eight or thirty years 
 of age. His face is smooth-shaven and rather hand- 
 some. His manner suggests a complete realisation 
 of his own importance. Eleanor rises and goes 
 quickly to meet him. 
 
 Brad, {to Eleanor). Oh, good-evening! You've 
 returned ! 
 
 Elea. I have, at last ! Oh, how kind of you ! 
 
 (She takes a small box which Bradbury hands fo her.) 
 
 Brad. That's the candy I promised you last \veek, 
 you know. 
 
 Elea. Perhaps you remember my friend, Miss Linden. 
 
 Brad, (in quick surprise). Why, I certainly do. I'm 
 very glad to meet you again, Miss Linden. I understand 
 that you have been in France. 
 
 Marg. Yes, Mr. Bradbury, I spent two years there. 
 
 Mrs. M. I remember that you went just after we had 
 met Mr. Bradbury. We had asked you to take a little 
 trip to Washington with us — that time we went with Mr. 
 Bradbury, you know — but you weren't able to do it. 
 
 Marg. Yes, indeed, Mrs. Middlebrook, I do remem- 
 ber it. I — I was very sorry that I had to leave at that 
 time. 
 
 Brad. Do you know, I have heard, Miss Linden, and 
 I really understood, in fact, that — well, that you didn't 
 really want to go to Europe at that time, and that you 
 were in some way forced into it. 
 
 (Margaret nods slowly. Her face shows that the 
 recollection is most unpleasant to her.) 
 
 Marg. It is — quite true. I zvas compelled to go, 
 against my will. 
 
 Elea. It was a shame, too! Simply criminal, I call 
 it! And just because she had given in her name. 
 
THE SUliMARiNli SHELL jr 
 
 Mrs. M. Was that the reason, Margaret? I never 
 really knew. 
 
 Elea. Oh, Mother, you mustn't question Margaret 
 about all that. I'm sure it must be an unpleasant topic 
 for her. 
 
 Mrs. M. Oh, I remember now that there was some- 
 thing Oh, you left right after that dreadful night 
 
 at the Markmans' reception, didn't you? 
 
 Elea. Mother ! You mustn't remind her of that ! 
 
 (Eleanor's face shows considerable agitation. Mar- 
 garet is greatly disturbed, but does not betray the 
 fact so clearly.) 
 
 Marg. I'm sure that I'd be glad to tell you anything 
 that you'd like to know about it. It — it was unpleasant, 
 but it is past, and must be forgotten. 
 - Mrs. M. The reception was in June, 1917, wasn't it? 
 It wasn't — it couldn't have been anything connected with 
 the theft of Mr. Markman's state papers. 
 
 Elea. Why, Mother! Of course Margaret didn't 
 have anything 
 
 Mrs. M. Why, Eleanor, child! I never suggested 
 such a thing! 
 
 Marg. Oh, please don't upset yourselves on my ac- 
 count. I'll try to explain about it. The truth is that I 
 was practically forced to go abroad with the Red Cross — 
 and altogether through the unreasonable order of — of the 
 man who had charge of the enrollment. 
 
 Brad. Then it was this man who was to blame. 
 
 Marg. It was, Mr. Bradbury. You see, I had listed 
 niy name before I received Mrs. Middlebrook's invita- 
 tion.^ When I asked this — this gentleman — if it would be 
 possible for me to withdraw, he saw no objection, at that 
 time, to my withdrawing later if I wished. But then 
 came the excitement at the reception, when the — the theft 
 was made. And the very next morning, when I told him 
 that I had decided to withdraw, and to join your family 
 and Mr. Bradbury in your trip — he refused. 
 
 Mrs. M, Refused to release you? 
 
1 6 ■ THE SUiiMARIiNii SHLLL 
 
 Marg. He refused quite decidedly. I appealed to the 
 regular enrollment officer, to the Governor, to every one — 
 v^qthout success. His commands are law in this country. 
 
 Mrs. M, Why, vi^ho can he be? What right could he 
 have to compel you to remain in the service? 
 
 Marg. Tm afraid that he had every right. You see, 
 Mrs. Middlebrook, he is at the head of the Secret Service 
 in this country. His — his name is Steele. 
 
 Brad, (with a start of surprise). Inspector Steele! 
 
 Mrs. M. I can't believe it! 
 
 LeClair. But what did you do, Mademoiselle ? 
 
 Marg. I went, that's all. It was my duty to obey. 
 I — I might have begged him to release me, but I would 
 never give him that satisfaction ! I have as much patriot- 
 ism as he, even though he is the head of the 
 
 Elea. You have your self-respect, too, Margaret, and 
 that's more than that coward can ever 
 
 (Margaret checks her with an involuntary gesture.) 
 
 Marg. We — we mustn't call him quite that, Eleanor. 
 He goes to Europe himself, you know — right into the 
 German lines, where a slip means death. Why, he may 
 be in Germany now — for all I know. 
 
 Mrs. M. But what could have happened at the recep- 
 tion to cause him to change so quickly? 
 
 Marg. Oh, I — I really don't — I can't understand it, 
 myself. 
 
 LeClair. Eet eez not many who can understand 
 Monsieur Steele ! 
 
 Elea. (quickly). You knov/ him? 
 
 LeClair. Bien sur. Mademoiselle. I have met him in 
 Paris, it is now three months. Ah ! Comme il est ridi- 
 cule ! (He laughs.) He is a man so strange! He 
 speaks almost not at all — and he laughs never — but he 
 listens — forever ! 
 
 Elea. Isn't he ridiculous, Monsieur LeClair? 
 
 LeClair. You have well spoken ! And his expres- 
 sions — forever so idiotic ! Surely you have all remarked 
 his expressions zee most ridiculous ! 
 
 Elea. Why, what are they ? 
 
THli SUBMARINE SHELL I7 
 
 LeClair. Eh bien ! He eez forever saying — " Quite 
 right." One thousand times he use those words! And 
 there eez one other which I recall. Jie eez one expres- 
 sion zee most characteristic, when Monsieur zee Inspector 
 say, one million times to every week — ah, oui, he say — 
 " With great success." I think sometimes he do so in 
 real purpose, but no. Eet eez all unconscious, Madem- 
 oiselle. And when I see him, I laugh well, and I say: 
 "Zee Americans, are they all like him?" Ha! Ha! 
 Eet eez one good joke, n'est-ce pas? 
 
 Mrs. M. a matter of opinion, Monsieur LeClair. If 
 you had made some twenty trips inside the German lines, 
 and had stared death in the face a thousand times, you 
 yourself might not find time to vary your expressions. 
 As for the Inspector, I have decided that we must have 
 his assistance here to-morrow ! 
 
 MiDD. Oh — er — Lucy, I beg you to be reasonable ! 
 Our guests 
 
 Mrs. M. But I am considering their safety, also. 
 (She turns to the others.) Mr. Middlebrook has received 
 a threat by mail, predicting the destruction of his labora- 
 tory when the British and French Government officials 
 land in New York at ten o'clock to-morrow night. 
 
 LeClair. Mon Dieu ! 
 
 West. But this is terrible ! 
 
 Elea. You can't mean it, Mother ! 
 
 Brad. But, Mrs. Middlebrook, I can't understand 
 what has happened. Lias there been something lacking 
 in my services on this case? 
 
 Mrs. M. Not at all, I assure you. I — I simply feel 
 that there is great danger. Please don't feel offended by 
 this. Mr. Middlebrook's greatest invention, and also his 
 home, will be in great peril to-morrow night. I simply 
 feel that we must have him to-morrow. 
 
 Brad. But danger is impossible, Mrs. Middlebrook. 
 I have plain-clothesmen guarding the house every minute. 
 I have the laboratory protected by an automatic alarm. 
 (He points to a small red fixture on the zvall near the 
 laboratory door.) The least pressure upon that door, 
 when the alarm is set, will cause a loud gong to ring in 
 the black box inside the laboratory door. 
 
l8 THli bUBMARlNli SHELL 
 
 West. In a box, you say ? Dat is remarkable, Herr 
 Bradbury ! 
 
 {He strolls to the side of the room, and examines the 
 red fixture with considerable interest.) 
 
 Mrs. M. You have always been most painstaking, Mr. 
 Bradbury, and I appreciate it. But I — oh, I can't take 
 chances at such a time as this ! 
 
 Elea. But certainly you wouldn't take the case away 
 from Mr. Bradbury now. He has been splendid, Mother. 
 No one could do any better! 
 
 MiDD. Er — I fear our guests must be wearied by 
 this — er — discussion. 
 
 Elea. Oh, you won't have him, Mother ! 
 
 Brad, (in wrath). Wherever I go, it's the same old 
 story ! It's Steele that I hear about, and it's Steele that 
 gets half my cases. Danger! Will you kindly tell me 
 what under the skies that is dangerous could ever get in 
 here? This is an outrage ! Danger! 
 
 LeClair. Eet eez a w^ord zee most unhappy, n'est-ce 
 pas? 
 
 Brad. It has been the same thing over and over again. 
 Look at that affair two years ago at the Markmans' re- 
 ception, when Mr. Markman's papers were stolen. That 
 case Vv^as taken away from me, right in the middle of it, 
 and given to Steele. 
 
 Elea. It vv^as outrageous, Mr. Bradbury. 
 
 Brad. You remember it, of course. What happened 
 after Steele took that case? He failed! The person 
 who stole those secrets was never found. And still, Mrs. 
 Middlebrook, you wish him to take my place here. 
 
 Mrs. M. But I don't want you to leave. I 
 
 Brad. I've given you the best possible protection, and 
 still I'm to be ousted "again for that man! (Bitterly.) 
 Oh, I see nov/ what it means to have the reputation ! 
 Give a reputation to the biggest, most conceited bungler 
 in the United States, and he's it! 
 
 Marg. (moving quickly toward the hall door). Ex- 
 cuse me, please, Eleanor, but would you mind if I should 
 take a walk in the garden? 
 
 Elea. Why, of course not. But — ^ 
 
THE SUBMAtllNE SHELL 19 
 
 Ma"RG. Thank yon. {She leaves.) 
 
 MiDD. You see, it is as I said. We are wearying our 
 guests by this — er — useless discussion. 
 
 Brad. You may call it useless, Mr. Middlebrook, and 
 you may dismiss me from your service. But it's all on 
 account of a danger that never could exist. Listen, 
 please. No stranger could ever hope to set foot inside 
 your grounds ! 
 
 Mrs. M. {incensed at last.) I do not intend to argue 
 this matter with you, Mr. Bradbury ! I have already sent 
 for Inspector Steele! 
 
 MiDD. Er — Lucy ! 
 
 Mrs. M. He has promised to let me know within an 
 hour. I haven't a doubt that he will come. And I wish 
 cooperation from you, Mr. Bradbury ! 
 
 (Middlebrook and Bradbury are nearly stupefied by 
 the nezvs. In the library door the butler Herman is 
 standing, staring in consternation.) 
 
 Brad, {after a silence). Very well, Mrs. Middle- 
 brook. But ril tell you once again: you're most unfair 
 to me. 
 
 {He strides out into the hall, choking zvith indignation. 
 Eleanor follozvs.) 
 
 MiDD. Er — this — er — this disturbance is very unfor- 
 tunate, Monsieur LeClair. Most unfortunate indeed. I 
 trust both you and the Professor will — er — overlook it. 
 
 Vv^EST. It is for a half hour now that I haf oferlooked 
 it, Herr Middlebrook. With your permission, I vould 
 nov/ oferlook the laboratory. 
 
 MiDD. With — er — great pleasure, gentlemen. 
 
 {He knocks on the laboratory door, and requests Kraft 
 to remain on watch at the entrance. Middlebrook, 
 LeClair and Westerberg enter the laboratory. 
 Mrs. Middlebrook crosses to the library door, call- 
 ing the butler. Enter Herman.) 
 
 Mrs. M. I am expecting a telegram very soon, Wil- 
 liam. Kindly let me know the moment it arrives. 
 
20 THE SUBMARINE SFJELL 
 
 Herman. Very good, ma'am. {Exit Mrs. Middle- 
 brook. Herman is left alone with -Kraft, zvho is out- 
 side the laboratory door, on watch.) It is the worst! 
 
 Kraft. Then it is Steele ? 
 
 Herman. She has sent for him. She beheves he will 
 come. The v/ork is ruined ! 
 
 Kraft. Not yet ! Not yet ! 
 
 Herman. But at ten to-night the agents land ! 
 
 Kraft. Wait ! Who is that young v/oman visiting 
 here ? Is her name Linden ? Am I right ? 
 
 Herman. Yes — Linden. But 
 
 Kraft. Gott ! What fortune ! Then let Steele come, 
 my friend ! 
 
 LIerman. But again he will outwit us, and beat us. 
 Five times has he beaten Tom Cloff ; he 
 
 Kraft. Wait ! That's all. 
 
 Herman. But what is your plan? 
 
 Kraft. I'll show you. He may beat us; he knows 
 our game. He'll not beat Miss Linden, for he will trust 
 her. 
 
 Herman. How can you know that? 
 
 Kraft. Ach, Otto, you forget our theft at Herr 
 Markman's reception. You forget that I was a butler 
 there, my friend. I have eyes, Otto, and 
 
 Herman. Now I begin to understand. You have 
 some hold? 
 
 ^ Kraft. Gut! Watch me this afternoon. And, mark 
 my words, at ten to-night we'll send that laboratory 
 northeast by west ! 
 
 Herman. And Steele? 
 
 Kraft. And if Steele comes — he dies! (The door- 
 bell rings.) Delia is answering; don't go. Remember, 
 Otto, keep your eyes open. Watch for a telegram from 
 Steele, and be ready for to-night. Are ye wise to that, 
 now, William? 
 
 Enter Delia, followed by a Telegraph Messenger. 
 The messenger is tall and ungaijtly. His face is 
 unshaven and is marred by a long red scar; he zvears 
 a beard. His cap and coat are very badly dilapi- 
 dated. His trousers, however, are zvell-fitfing and 
 
THE SUEiVlAFUNE SHELL 21 
 
 of good niaier'iaL His lozv black shoes are polished. 
 His movements are extremely awkward; he zvears 
 Jiis cap in the house. Mrs. Middlebrook enters from 
 the library. 
 
 Mrs. M. a telegram for me, Delia? 
 
 Delia. Yes, ma'am. But this man, ma'am, he can't 
 get a worrd out but once to an hour, ma'am. 
 
 Mrs. M. {to Messenger), You have a telegram for 
 me? 
 
 Messenger. F-f-for Mrs. M-M-M-Middlebrook. 
 
 {He hands her a yellow envelope.) 
 
 Mrs. M. Is there an answer? 
 Messenger. Y-y-y-yes, ma'am. 
 
 (Mrs. Middlebrook reads. The message is evidently 
 quite long. She suddenly gives a start, and reads on. 
 Finally she gives the Messenger a quick glance. He 
 nods. ) 
 
 Mrs. M. {to Messenger). Very well Wait just a 
 moment, please. {To Delia.) Delia, I must summon 
 every one in the house to this room at once. 
 
 Delia. Yes, ma'am. [Exit to hall. 
 
 Mrs. M. {to Kraft). James, kindly ask the gentle- 
 men in the laboratory to step in here. 
 
 Enter Eleanor, Margaret, Bradbury, and Delia fr,om 
 the hall. Middlebrook, LeClair, and Westerberg 
 enter from the laboratory, follozved by Kraft, who 
 has summoned them. 
 
 MiDD. Why — er — Lucy, what can this mean? 
 
 Mrs. M. {to all). I have just received a telegram 
 from Inspector Steele. I would like you all to hear it, 
 and advise an answer. 
 
 Midd. Er~this is astonishing of you, Lucy. Most 
 astonishing. 
 
 Mrs. M. {reading the telegram). ''Cannot possibly 
 come to-day. Do you wish a subordinate ? M. J. Steele." 
 
 Brad. Cannot come! 
 
It THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 Herman. Mein {Coughs violently.) 
 
 Elea. I thank Heaven for that ! 
 
 Marg. (zvith spirit). And I, too, Eleanor ! 
 
 (LeClair and Westerberg are silent.) 
 
 MiDD. But — er — why have you called us together in 
 this manner, Lucy, to hear such a message as that? 
 
 Mrs. M. {indicaling the telegram). It is Inspector 
 Steele's wish, Warren. 
 
 MiDD. Er- — Inspector Steele? But — er — I cannot un- 
 derstand. Why shouM he arrange such an idiotic affair 
 with you ? 
 
 Messenger. Merely to discover, Mr. Middlebrook, 
 who are the ones who most desire his absence ! 
 
 Brad, {startled). Who said that? 
 
 MiDD. Er — where was that voice ? Who spoke ? 
 
 Messenger. Don't be alarmed, Mr. Middl"ebrook. It 
 was only an innocent telegraph messenger, whose hair 
 makes a very poor match with his beard ! 
 
 {He removes his cap. The heard and scar come zvith 
 it. He straightens up to six feet three.) 
 
 MiDD. Er — the Inspector! 
 Brad. Steele ! 
 
 (Herman chokes. The others are dumfounded by the 
 revelation.) 
 
 Steele {shaking his head with a smile). Merely a 
 messenger, after all, Mr. Middlebrook, {He bozvs in the 
 direction of Eleanor and Margaret.) Very evidently 
 an unwelcome messenger, sir, but he comes with a warn- 
 ing — for you ! 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
ACT II 
 
 SCENE.— The same as Act I. August 12, 1:30 p. m. 
 A small table has been placed in the center of the room. 
 In chairs around the table are gathered Middlebrook, 
 LeClair, Westerberg, and Steele. Steele is tall 
 and powerfidly built. His face is clear-cut and snioolh- 
 shaven. His every movement bears witness to his 
 never-failing energy and his dauntless will-pozver. 
 One can make no accurate estimate as to his age. 
 Ordinarily, his very quiet speech and deliberate actions 
 ivoidd suggest a man perhaps as old as forty; while at 
 times of excitement or danger, the startling quickness 
 of his movements, and the sharp, ringing tones of his 
 voice, zvoidd indicate that he coidd not have passed 
 thirty. He is a man to whom the opinion of the world 
 matters little; he has but one ideal — to serve America. 
 A very light luncheon for four, consisting of salad, 
 cake, and hot chocolate, has been served, and the wen 
 have nearly completed their repast. 
 
 (Herman is bringing in a tray with tzvo cups of choco- 
 late. He places these before LeClair and Wester- 
 berg. ) 
 
 MiDD. Won't you — er — change your mind, Inspector, 
 and have another cup of chocolate ? 
 
 Steele. I beUeve not, thank you, Mr. Middlebrook. 
 
 MiDD. But — er — perhaps you will have a little more 
 salad ? 
 
 Steele. Fve had a great plenty, thank you. 
 
 MiDD. And Monsieur LeClair, perhaps you would 
 care for a little. 
 
 LeClair. Merci, Monsieur Middlebrook, but one has 
 served m.e of a great sufficiency of zee salad. But zee 
 chocolate, eet eez indescribable — so delicious. 
 
 MiDD. And — er — Professor Westerberg? 
 
 n 
 
24 ItiE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 West. It is most excellent — the salat, Herr Middle- 
 brook. I should most heartily enjoy — — 
 
 MiDD. Certainly. Er — William, a little more of the — ■ 
 er — salad, for Professor Westerberg. (Herman takes 
 the plate.) And — er — William, I — er — have a sugges- 
 tion to make, which might make this helping a little 
 more — er — enjoyable — to the Professor. Er — a very 
 little more salt on the salad, I beheve, might — er — be a 
 little improvement. 
 
 Herman. Very good, sir. [Exit. 
 
 (MiDDLEBROOK passes the cake again to his three guests. 
 LeClair and Westerberg accept a second piece, but 
 Steele declines.) 
 
 MiDD. I trust, gentlemen, that — er — that you 
 
 (He pauses sudde^ily, with an expression of annoyance 
 upon his face. From the direction of the hall, which 
 evidently leads into the dining-room, comes the sound 
 of loud voices. Delia and Herman can be heard 
 in a rather heated argument upon some unknown 
 subject. As the noise continues, Middlebrook's 
 exasperation becomes more and more apparent. At 
 length Herman enters, in considerable confusion.) 
 
 Herman {awkwardly). I am very sorry, sir, but — 
 er — I am afraid, sir, that Delia will — will not be able to 
 salt the salad. 
 
 MiDD. I — er — I don't understand, William. 
 
 Herman. She declares, sir, that — er — that the salt 
 is gone. 
 
 SliDD. Er — William, I surely don't 
 
 Herman. Your pardon, sir, but she maintains that 
 hit 'as been stolen, and 'opes that you will not blame 'er 
 for the matter. 
 
 MiDD. Er — stolen ? 
 
 Herman. That is 'er statement, sir. According to 'er 
 remarks, sir, there was plenty last evening. But this 
 morning, she says, hevery salt-cellar was hempty, and hall 
 the salt 'ad disappeared from the box in the kitchen cup- 
 board. I am very sorry, sir. 
 
 MiDD. Why — er — how extraordinary. Er — rather re- 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 25 
 
 markable. I consider such an — er — occurrence quite un- 
 heard-of. Very well, William — never mind the salt for 
 the present. 
 
 Herman. Very good, sir. I am sorry. [Ej^it. 
 
 MiDD. Yes, yes, that was certainly^er — most unusual. 
 
 LeClair. Pardon, Monsieur, but might eet not have 
 been zee resultant of some hemispheric conditions? 
 
 MiDD. Er 
 
 LeClair. You comprehend, n'est-ce pas? Zee hemi- 
 spheric conditions — zee conditions of zee air. 
 
 MiDD. Oh — er — oh, I understand. Why — er — I hardly 
 think such a thing possible. Monsieur LeClair. Quite im- 
 probable, at any rate. Er — wouldn't that be your opinion, 
 Mr. Steele? 
 
 Steele (laughing). Such a thing would be a bit re- 
 markable, to say the least, Mr. Middlebrook. That is, 
 unless your atmosphere here is somewhat — unusual. 
 
 West. Ant I agree, Herr Steele. I cannot see the 
 possibility. 
 
 LeClair. Eef eet had been of money which you had 
 missed, Monsieur, one might suggest a thefting. But zee 
 salt — who would want him? C'est ridicule! (Herman 
 returns zvith the salad for Westerberg, and leaves.) 
 But, Monsieur Middlebrook, in regard to zee compound 
 which you prepare for us, Eet eez at four o'clock, 
 n'est-ce pas, that you shall have linished him? 
 
 Mii^D. Finislied him, you said? Er — of whom are 
 you speaking? 
 
 LeClair. Ah, pardon. Monsieur. Eet eez again my 
 mistake, I i^erceive. Zee compound, I wished to say. 
 You comprehend. Monsieur. 
 
 MiDD. Er — yes. At four o'clock, Monsieur LeClair. 
 But Mr. Steele — er — perhaps you have not been told of 
 the cause of our visit from these gentlemen. You might 
 be interested to hear of this. 
 
 Steele. Yes, indeed, Mr. Middlebrook. To tell the 
 truth, I have already been told that they have come for 
 your latest dyeing compound. 
 
 LeClair. Ah, Monsieur zee Inspector, but you do 
 learn zee truth of everything! Eet eez many times that 
 I have remarked this, since I have met \ou in Paris. 
 
26 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 Steele (a trifl.c surprised). You met me in Paris? 
 
 LeClair. All, yes, Monsieur. I see well that you do 
 not remember me. Eet was at the home of Monsieur 
 Rapir, eet eez now three months. Monsieur zee In- 
 spector was there, n'est-ce pas ? 
 
 Steele. Quite right. Monsieur LeClair. But there 
 were so man}^ gentlemen there 
 
 LeClair. Voila, Messieurs ! Eet eez as I have said ! 
 
 Steele. I beg pardon ? 
 
 LeClair. Ah, Monsieur, you will not be in anger with 
 me, because I have spoken of him ! But eet eez once 
 again that you say, '' Quite right." 
 
 Steele. And you find something unusual in my say- 
 ing that ? 
 
 LeClair. But no, you do not comprehend. Eet eez 
 merely because you forever use this expression that I 
 have remarked him. I have not wished to offend. 
 
 Steele. Not at all. Monsieur. In fact, now that you 
 speak of it, I realize, myself, that I do use those w^ords 
 quite often. It's strange how some little expression will 
 cling to one person. (He laughs.) 
 
 LeClair. And there eez one other which you have, 
 Monsieur. Eet eez "With great success," n'est-ce pas? 
 
 Steele (laughing in amazement). Really, Monsieur 
 LeClair, you shouldn't waste your time in a dyeing con- 
 cern. With a mind for details such as you have, you 
 should be a detective. 
 
 LeClair. A detectif? Mais non ! That eez more to 
 zee taste of Monsieur zee Professor Westerberg, I be- 
 lieve. 
 
 Steele (quickly). You are interested in that line of 
 work. Professor? 
 
 West. Nein, nein. Dat vas a jest, ant notting more, 
 I, a detective ever? It is ridiculous! But 
 your visit here, Kerr Steele, we have heard little. 
 
 Enter Herman. 
 
 Herman. Detective Bradbury 'as come, sir. 
 _ MiDD. Oh, very well, William. I — er — I shall be out 
 directly. Kindly tell him. 
 
 Herman. Very good, sir. [Exit. 
 
THli SUBMARINE SHELL 27 
 
 MiDD. I must see Mr. Bradbury for a few moments, 
 gentlemen. (Rises.) Er— excuse me, please. Per- 
 haps — er — you would care to take a w^alk in the garden, 
 or on the lawn. 
 
 LeClair. With zee greatest pleasure, Monsieur. 
 
 West. Very gladly, Herr Middlebrook. 
 
 MiDD. And — er — Mr. Steele, would you care to ac- 
 company them, or would you prefer to — er 
 
 Steele. If you don't mind, Mr. Middlebrook, I feel 
 more like taking a chair here and reading. I seem a 
 trifle tired to-day. 
 
 MiDD. Certainly. Make yourself quite at home. 
 Er — now, gentlemen, shall we proceed ? 
 
 (Exit to hall, with LeClair and Westerberg. Steele, 
 left alone, zvalks slowly to a Morris chair near the 
 library door. Taking a book from the table near by, 
 he seats himself. Enter Mrs. Middlebrook, from 
 the library.) 
 
 Mrs. M, Mr. Steele, I haven't yet had a chance to 
 thank you for coming so willingly to our aid. 
 
 Steele. No thanks are due at all, I assure you. It 
 is my duty to help you at this time. 
 
 Mrs. M. Still, I realize how busy you are during the 
 w^ar. It was kind of you to lielp me out, and I appre- 
 ciate it. 
 
 Steele. No business could be more urgent than this, 
 Mrs. Middlebrook, Your husband is about to do more 
 for America than any man living has yet done. Cer- 
 tainly it is my duty to protect his home at this critical 
 time. 
 
 Mrs. M. I'm so thankful that you see it that way. 
 Warren can't understand my fears at all ; he laughs at 
 me. First of all, I suppose we must awaken him to the 
 real danger. 
 
 Steele (laughing). I believe I have already opened 
 his eyes to the inefficiency of his police guard. That 
 little scheme of ours provided for that — with great suc- 
 cess. But I fear that Mr. Middlebrook is not yet fully 
 aweike to his peril. 
 
28 THli SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 Mrs. M. Oh, I'm afraid not ! And, even with you 
 here, I have a terrible dread of to-night. We might 
 make some slip, and something might happen. 
 
 Steele. Please don't worry. 
 
 Mrs. M. But — but the Allies' agents will land to-night 
 at ten. 
 
 Steele. Very true. 
 
 Mrs. M. And at ten o'clock that man v/ill blow up the 
 laboratory there, unless 
 
 Steele. He will not do it! Rest assured of that. 
 
 Mrs. M. Oh, then you've made sure of this ! You've 
 been at work here already, this forenoon. 
 
 Steele. Quite true. 
 
 Mrs. M. And you've discovered Oh, I dread 
 
 the very thought of it ! What have you found ? 
 
 Steele. Absolutely nothing, as yet. 
 
 Mrs. M. Oh ! Yet you're confident that he can never 
 succeed ? 
 
 Steele. Quite confident, Mrs. I\Iiddlebrook. His 
 scheme will be clever, I know. There is at present no 
 explosive of any description in the house. To-night he 
 will doubtless manage to have some on hand. 
 
 Mrs. M. But how can he get inside? Certainly not 
 as you managed it ! 
 
 Steele. I can't answer that yet. Have you the least 
 suspicion of any one? 
 
 Mrs. M. Why, no. That is — except Miss Linden. 
 I'm sorry to have to tell you this, "but Warren refuses to 
 trust her, although he trusts these foreigners. 
 
 Steele {laughing dryly). There's Mr. Middlebrook 
 again. I must awaken him ! 
 
 Mrs. M. Then you don't suspect Miss Linden, as he 
 does? 
 
 Steele {hesitating). Why should I, please? 
 
 Mrs. M. Why, there's no reason. I merely thought — 
 well — after your unpleasant experience with her, you 
 know. 
 
 Steele. You've heard of that, then? {He shakes his 
 head slowly.) No, Mrs. Middlebrook. I'll tell you the 
 truth. I would sooner suspect the President himself. 
 
 Mrs. M. Oh, I'm so glad to hear that ! It's— it's so 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 2g 
 
 unjust to her, you know, to have Warren feel this way. 
 I really — — 
 
 Enter MiDDLEBROOK, accompanied by Bradbury. 
 
 MiDD. Ah, yes. Here is the Inspector. 
 Brad. Good-afternoon, Mrs. Middlebrook. 
 
 {He gives Steele a curt nod.) 
 
 Steele. A very pleasant day, Mr. Bradbury. 
 
 MiDD. We were just — er — looking for you, Mr. Steele. 
 There is one other matter which I think should be brought 
 to your attention. 
 
 Steele. You mean the warning letter Vvliich Mrs. 
 Middlebrook described to me? 
 
 MiDD. Why — er — upon my word! Er — quite aston- 
 ishing, Mr, Steele. Yes, I have just been discussing it 
 v/ith Mr. Bradbury. He is novv^^er — quite confident 
 that this affair is merely a boast, in spite of his — er — 
 previous suggesting that I concede to this atrocious 
 demand. 
 
 Steele {turning quickly to Bradbury). You advised 
 him to abandon work upon the shell? 
 
 Brad, {rather insolently). You've said it exactly, 
 Steele. At that time I was averse to his placing his 
 family in such peril. 
 
 Steele. But you feel now that this peril is not worth 
 considering ? 
 
 Brad. Just that. Such a disaster is impossible ; the 
 whole business is not worth thinking about. Explosion 
 at ten to-night ! Bah ! 
 
 Steele. I must differ from you on that point. The 
 letter, please, Mr. Middlebrook. 
 
 MiDD. {searching his pockets). Ah, yes, indeed, the 
 letter. A_ most outlandish comimunication it was, too. 
 Here it is, I believe. Most atrocious, Mr. Steele. And 
 signed by a — er — person who is quite — er — unJieard-of. 
 A most unusual signature. 
 
 {Starts to open the envelope.) 
 
 Steele {without taking the letter). Most unusual 
 signature, you say ? The name is " Tom Clofi " ? 
 
30 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 MiDD. Why — er — how remarkable ! 
 
 Brad. Then youVe heard of hlni, too! 
 
 Mrs. M. Is there really any such German agent? 
 
 Steele. There certainly is, Mrs. Middlebrook. 
 
 MiDD. Er — this is alarming. Quite shocking, in fact. 
 
 Brad. What do you know of him, Steele? 
 
 Steele (dryly). Almost as much as I knew before I 
 started trying to trace him, nearly three years ago. 
 
 Mrs. M. But who is he? 
 
 Steele. That is just the perplexing point, Mrs. 
 Middlebrook. Under the name of " Tom Cloff " some 
 shrewd man is constantly active against the United 
 States, in close communication with the better known 
 William Von Holtzer. Other than this, I know nothing. 
 I have searched for these men since the beginning of the 
 war, without success. 
 
 Mrs. M. And now this agent is coming here to 
 destroy the laboratory. This is terrible ! 
 
 MiDD. But — er — surely this danger is not real ! 
 
 Steele. Too real, Mr. Middlebrook. The letter, if 
 you please. (He takes the letter.) 
 
 Brad. You can learn nothing from that. I've been 
 over it three times. 
 
 Steele. Mailed from New York City. Postmark 
 could reveal nothing. Letter itself typewritten. Signa- 
 ture scrawled, with writing well disguised. 
 
 Brad. Quite evident. But that's as far as you can go. 
 
 MiDD. (nozv agitated). Yes, yes. I fear so. 
 
 Steele. Perhaps. Almost, at any rate. {Examines 
 the envelope.) Envelope of ordinary paper. Addressed 
 very hurriedly. 
 
 Brad. Why so? 
 
 Steele. Ink used is same as used in letter for signa- 
 ture. In the signature it was allowed to dry after writ- 
 ing; on the envelope it w^as blotted at once. Result: 
 criminal's handwriting excellently disguised in signature; 
 poorly disguised on envelope. 
 
 MiDD. Astonishing, Mr. Steele ! 
 
 Brad. Poorly disguised on the envelope? Plow — 
 how can you tell that? 
 
 Steele. Oh, it's very superficial there. The writer 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 3I 
 
 has not taken the time necessary to do such a thing 
 properly. Probably a slip on his part; every criminal 
 makes a slip some time. 
 
 Brad. But what do we gain? 
 
 Steele. The key to his real handwriting. TU tell you 
 a law that is absolutely infallible. Whenever any person 
 with a distinctive handwriting makes a careless attempt 
 to disguise that handwriting, he merely succeeds in 
 emphasizing its peculiarities all the more noticeably. 
 
 Brad. All very interesting, I'm sure. 
 
 Steele. Look at the capital " R " there. In the 
 signature it is changed ; on the envelope it is the writer's 
 own " R," merely tilted a little to the right. Or look at 
 the " d's " in " Middlebrook." Scrawled, but still quite 
 distinctive. There are a few other points, also. 
 
 (Bradbury is silent in astonishment.) 
 
 Mrs. M. But we can't catch the man this way, Mr. 
 Steele, and to-night is coming. 
 
 Steele. To-night, Mrs. Middlebrook, will take care 
 of itself. And in the meantime 
 
 (He pauses, thought fully.) 
 
 Brad. And in the meantime, what can we do ? 
 
 Steele. We can hunt, Mr. Bradbury, for the man 
 with a capital " R " that is formed like an " H " and an 
 " F," and two " d's " that are surely not mates. That's 
 about all. 
 
 Enter Eleanor from' the hall, follozved by Margaret. 
 Herman follows at once, carrying a box tied with 
 red ribbon. 
 
 Elea. (to Herman). That is my almond candy, 
 William. Just put it in the table drawer there, for the 
 
 present. Come, Margaret, we (She hesitates, 
 
 noticing the four people gathered around the letter. 
 Steele places the envelope in his pocket. Herman 
 obeys Eleanor's request, and leaves. Margaret is 
 carrying a small blue knitting-bag, made of cloth, zvith 
 several knitting-needles protruding.) Are v/e interrupt- 
 mg something important? 
 
^2 THE SUilMARINE SHELL 
 
 MiDD. Why — er — no, my dear. We had practically 
 finished. In fact — er — Mr. Bradbury and I were on the 
 point of making a round of the grounds outside. 
 
 Mrs. M. Yes, everything seems settled for the present. 
 Margaret, you met Inspector Steele this morning, didn't 
 you ? 
 
 Marg. Yes, Mrs. Middlebrook. (She bozvs coldly. 
 Steele returns the salutation in silence.) I was thinking 
 of knitting a little while in the garden. 
 
 Brad. You are knitting for the army, Miss Linden? 
 
 Marg. Yes, indeed. 
 
 (She opens the bag upon the table, displaying several 
 articles. ) 
 
 Brad. It seems as though you are always doing some- 
 thing for the country. Here you've just come from 
 France, and you're busy already. 
 
 Marg. I'm ahvays willing to do my part, Mr. Brad- 
 bury. 
 
 Brad. That's right. We must all do that now. IVe 
 seem to do very little — we secret service men — but vv^e are 
 active every minute, I can tell you. 
 
 Marg. I have never doubted that for an instant, Mr. 
 Bradbury. 
 
 Mrs. M. But you spoke of v/anting to knit, Margaret. 
 Let's find some chairs in the garden, while these gentle- 
 men are making their inspection. 
 
 MiDD. Er — yes, indeed, our inspection. You are 
 ready, Mr. Bradbury? 
 
 Brad. Any minute. Coming, Inspector? 
 
 Steele. I don't believe I'll be of niucli use at present, 
 Bradbury. I'll wait here, if you don't mind. 
 
 MiDD. Certainly not. Er- — let us proceed, Mr. Brad- 
 bury. (Middlebrook and Bradbury leave.) 
 
 Mrs. M. Come, let's go into the garden. It's too 
 wonderful outside to be indoors. Would you — won't 
 you come with us, Mr. Steele ? 
 
 Steele. Thank you, Mrs. Middlebrook. I think, 
 however, that I'll read a few m.oments. On some cases, 
 you see, I'm very fond of being alone at times. 
 
T;HE SUBMARINE SHELE ^J 
 
 {Exit Mrs. Middlebrook. She is follozved by Elea- 
 nor a/'i^ Margaret, who has , evidently forgotten to 
 take her knitting-bag from the table. Steele again 
 takes liis bock to the Morris chair, and leisurely seats 
 himself. But again there is an interruption when 
 Margaret reappears at. the hall door. Unobserved 
 by the Inspector, she hesitates, and glances several 
 times toward the table. At length she crosses the 
 room ratJier hurriedly, and goes to the table. In her 
 haste to return to the garden, she grasps the knitting- 
 bag quickly. It slips and falls to the floor, just as 
 Steele glances up from his book. Numerous 
 articles are upset upon the carpet. Steele rises 
 quickly and begins to restore them.) 
 
 Marg. How careless of me! (Steele gathers up 
 several knitted articles, and a small ball of red yarn. 
 Margaret recovers two other balls, of gray color. 
 Steele then stoops and picks up two small, peculiarly 
 shaped fl.asks, of very dark green glass. He is evidently 
 quite puzded as he scrutinizes these.) Oh, thank you, 
 
 very much. It was Oh, those — those are perfume 
 
 holders, Mr. Steele. 
 
 Steele {nodding slowly, and still examining the little 
 bottles). I see. For a moment I couldn't make out what 
 they could be. 
 
 Marg. They're of a very unusual design, I believCo 
 You see, Eleanor is just crazy to have me knit a couple 
 of hangers for these two holders — something a bit artis- 
 tic, she wants. It's a rather strange notion of hers. 
 
 Steele {restoring the bottles). Yes, I suppose so. 
 You'll pardon me, but it really seemed even a trifle more 
 strange to be carrying such articles in a knitting-bag — 
 especially to-day. You — you're quite sure that Miss 
 Middlebrook really was anxious for you to 
 
 Marg. {taking the bag quickly). I really think, Mr. 
 Steele, that the question was quite unnecessary. 
 
 Steele. I — er — beg pardon? 
 
 Marg. I don't enjoy having my property examined as 
 though it might contain bombs or something. I don't 
 consider it your place to do this. Do you understand ? 
 
34 THH SUHMARIKn SHELL 
 
 Stei:le (glancing up m quick surprise, and nodding 
 slozvly). I do understand now, quite clearly, Miss Lin- 
 den. 
 
 Marg. I trust you understand everything about this 
 matter. 
 
 Steele. Ah, no. Miss Linden, that is my great 
 deficiency. I understand America's interests, and how 
 they should be served. Beyond this, I never understand 
 anything. There lies my stupidity. 
 
 Marg. Please do not say any more. You are at the 
 head of our secret service. You have forced me to spend 
 two years in France. I have obeyed ; I am an American. 
 But I have no desire to converse with you upon any sub- 
 ject. Is — is that clear? 
 
 Steele (controlling his temper with an effort, and turn- 
 ing toward the library door). Quite clear, Miss Linden. 
 (He hesitates.) I — I'll not trouble you further. [Exit. 
 
 (Margaret exhibits great indignation, staring toward 
 the door where Steele had stood. The laboratory 
 door opens suddenly. Kraft enters, closing the 
 door behind him.) 
 
 Kraft (crossing to hall door). Mornin', Miss Linden. 
 
 Marg. Good-morning, James. You quite startled me 
 for an instant. Why, James, what are you doing? 
 (Kraft closes the hall door. He crosses quickly to the 
 library, and closes the door there.) James, Vvhat are 
 you doing? 
 
 Kraft (quickly). Not a word. Miss Linden! 
 
 Marg. Why, what do you mean by speaking to me in 
 this way? I shall report you to Mr. Middlebrook at once. 
 
 (She starts toward the hall door.) 
 
 Kraft (darting forward and intercepting her). No 
 you don't, Miss Linden! 
 
 Marg. How dare you ? Open that door at once ! 
 
 Kraft. When I am ready. Keep quiet ! 
 
 Marg. Open that door ! I 
 
 Kraft. Wait a minute, please. Now listen, 
 
 Marg. I shall call Delia this instant. 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 35 
 
 Kraft. No, you will not. Not when you remem- 
 ber 
 
 Marg. I won't stand this ! 
 
 Kraft. One moment, please. Not when you remem- 
 ber the evening of June 27, 191 7, at the reception of 
 Charles Markman ! (Margaret starts visibly.) Ah! 
 You recall that evening, I observe. Perhaps — just per- 
 haps — you may have memories of the butler Walters. I 
 wonder. Miss Linden, 
 
 Marg. (zviih another start). You ! You are Walters ! 
 
 Kraft. I am. 
 
 Marg. Then you are the man who aided in the theft 
 of those papers ! I shall have you arrested at once ! 
 
 Kraft. But no, my dear Miss Linden. You will not. 
 My name is not James McGrady. Nor is it Walters. I 
 am Hans Kraft, of the German Secret Service. 
 
 Marg. A spy! You're here to blow up Mr, Middle- 
 brook's laboratory ! 
 
 Kraft. Ach, now you have it. That is my purpose 
 to-night. 
 
 Marg. Then it shall fail, Mr. Kraft! I shall 
 
 Kraft. You're wrong. Miss Linden. We shall }iot 
 fail, with your help ! 
 
 Marg. With ;;?y How dare you say this ? 
 
 Kraft. I'll tell you how I dare, Miss Linden. Lm 
 very brave indeed, when I remember the timely assistance 
 of a certain young woman who so cleverly hid the slolen 
 papers for us at the 
 
 Marg. (stunned). Oh! You — you gave your Vvord 
 to never mention that ! 
 
 Kraft. Ach, what is a promise with us ? I serve the 
 Fatherland ! And thus I say I shall not fail to-night, 
 with your assistance, 
 
 Marg. I'll not hear another word of this ! Open that 
 door, sir ! 
 
 Kraft (stepping forward). With great pleasure, 
 ril open it and inform the honored Mr. Middlebrook 
 about a certain treacherous young lady whom I could 
 mention, who has three times aided the Fatherland, and 
 who is now 
 
 Marg. Oh, you coward! 
 
3& 'FUE submarine SilliLL 
 
 Kraft. You understand, Miss Linden? Perhaps ibis 
 letter here, dropped by this traitoress two years ago,, 
 would add force to my statements. (Margaret is silent.) 
 You see. Miss Linden, I hold the winning cards. 
 
 Marg. {with an effort). So I observe, 
 
 Kraft. You will assist, perhaps? Is it not just 
 possible ? 
 
 Marg. Oh, very well. I must, that's all. I must! 
 
 Kraft. Gut ! And now to business, nicht wahr ? 
 One man alone can block our success to-night. That is 
 Lispcctor Steele. 
 
 Marg. Yes, yes. But what 
 
 Kraft. I've fought that man before, Miss Linden. 
 I've fought him and lost. I can't beat him to-niglit. 
 He'll outguess me ; he'll outguess Herman ; he'll outguess 
 Tom Cloff himself. But you, Miss Linden, he will trust ! 
 
 Marg. {starting violently). You're mad to think such 
 a thing ! He is my enemy ! He 
 
 Kraft. Ach, no, Miss Linden. He is an actor; that 
 is all. A clever man — Inspector Steele. But he v/ill 
 trust you as a loyal American. It v/as Herman, the but- 
 ler, who overheard him to-day as he declared so. 
 
 Marg. Overheard that? Why — this — this is certainly 
 impossible. I — I'll not believe one word of it. But what 
 is your wish ? 
 
 Kraft. I'll show you. You are not Steele's friend at 
 present. I heard you use offending words to him. But 
 he ^vill forget in one minute, when you apologize. 
 
 Marg. 'I'll never! 
 
 Kraft. Oh, yes. I think you will. Remember 
 
 Marg. Oh, this is 
 
 Kraft. Enough of that. Nov/ listen, please. In- 
 spector Steele will bar our way to-night. Mein Gott ! 
 If I could but slay him with my own hands! Tve tried 
 shooting him; I've tried poison; I've tried explosives: — 
 all to no avail. He is too quick. But to-night 
 
 {YiKKGAR^T suddenly' draws hack in horror.) 
 
 MyVRG. You mean to — to kill the Inspector? Here, 
 in this house? 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 37 
 
 Kraft. He dies at ten to-night! We'll win this 
 time — with your help. 
 
 Marg. You'll not have my help ! I'll tell Mr. Middle- 
 brook this instant ! 
 
 Kraft. Very well. I'll let him know about the young- 
 lady who hid Markman's stolen secrets. 
 
 Marg. Oh, you are terrible ! I'll never help you do 
 this frightful thing! 
 
 Kraft (drazving the letter from his pocket). Oh, 
 very well, Miss Linden. We'll have a reckoning, 
 
 Marg. Oh, I can't help you to kill — any one ! 
 
 Kraft. You really can't? 
 
 (Margaret stands silent, in great agitation. Kraft 
 waits quietly.) 
 
 Marg. (at length). Oh — then — very well. I must, 
 that's all. 
 
 Kraft. Gut ! Go to the hall door, please, and listen 
 carefully. I must not be interrupted now ; it might cost 
 both our lives. Go quickly, please. (Margaret obeys in 
 silence. Kraft springs to the table. He unlocks and 
 opens a drawer. There is a tearing of paper. He re- 
 closes the drawer. Two small bottles are held in his 
 hand.) This, Miss Linden, is the way I intend to kill 
 Inspector Steele. Look, please. 
 
 Marg. {turning away). I don't wish to see it. 
 
 Kraft. But I wish you to. See here. I have two 
 bottles, each filled with a liquid, and smuggled here in 
 secrecy by our agents. I shall presently mix these two 
 liquids. Do you know what will be formed- — vdiat gas 
 vs^ill be set free ? .Cyanogen ! 
 
 Marg. Cyanogen ? 
 
 Kraft. Yes. That is Prussic acid gas — the deadliest 
 poison known to man. One whiff of that gas is fatal to 
 human life. 
 
 Marg. Oh, that is horrible! 
 
 Kraft. You must handle this carefully, Miss Linden. 
 
 Marg. I? Am I to touch that? 
 
 Kraft. You must ! He'll v/atch me every instant to- 
 night. If you try, you can make him trust you. Do it, 
 
38 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 that's all. Have you any glass receptacle for these 
 liquids? A bottle, or something? 
 
 Marg. Why, no, I Oh, yes. I have a cou 
 
 I — I have a small glass flask in this knitting-bag. Is — is 
 this all right? {She draws out a glass flask, which has 
 already been described.) It is a perfume flask. 
 
 Kraft. Gut ! Is any one near ? 
 
 Marg. They'll return for me any minute. 
 
 Kraft. They'll not. Otto attended to that. Stand 
 away now, for your life. {Holding the bottles at arm's 
 length, he pours a little of each liquid into the green 
 flask, quickly screwing on the cover. He shakes the 
 flask car ef idly.) There, Miss Linden. There is death 
 for Inspector Steele ! Put this in your bag at once. Win 
 back his trust. Keep near him after seven o'clock this 
 evening. He'll watch my every action. I'll rely on you, 
 absolutely. When I give the word, you're to hand that 
 flask to me. I'll throw it ! Is that clear ? 
 
 Marg. Very clear indeed, Mr. Kraft. {A pause.) 
 I — I'll do it ! And in payment 
 
 Kraft. My silence. 
 
 Marg. Very well. This evening. 
 
 Kraft. That's. it. Ring for V/illiam, please. 
 
 {He replaces the bottles of liquid in the table drazver, 
 and locks it. Margaret rings. Enter Herman 
 from the hall.) 
 
 Herman. How about it, sir? Miss Linden 
 
 Kraft. Is with us. We cannot fail. 
 
 Herman. And the gas? 
 
 Kraft. It is ready. Pure cyanogen. Gott im Him- 
 mel ! When I smash the flask at his feet, he will crumple 
 up like a caterpillar on a hot stove ! 
 
 Marg. You fiend! 
 
 Kraft. No more of this, Miss Linden ! You want 
 my silence. You must v/ork for it. Otto, I hear some 
 one in the library. Mrs. Middlebrook is waiting for Miss 
 Linden in the garden. (Herman and Margaret leave.) 
 A brave young woman — with nerve, in spite of all her 
 pale appearance. And loyal ! Gott ! She should be 
 with the Fatherland, with loyalty such as that ! 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 39 
 
 Enter Eleanor and Bradbury from the library, followed 
 
 by MiDDLEBROOK. 
 
 MiDD. Er — good-afternoon, James. The — er — the 
 afternoon inspection, I believe. 
 
 Kraft. Yes, sor. 
 
 Brad. Yes, inspection, please. You have the key? 
 
 Kraft. Right here, sor. (He unlocks the door.) 
 
 Brad. Very well. Go ahead. I'll be out very soon, 
 Mr. Middlebrook. 
 
 (Bradbury enters the laboratory, follozved by Kraft.) 
 
 Elea. It's a nuisance, Father — this inspection every 
 day. There's hardly a minute that I don't have to wait 
 for something. 
 
 Mtdd. I know, my dear. It is — er — trying. 
 
 Elea. (with a sigh). Oh, well, I suppose I may as 
 well answer Edith Anderson's letter. (She goes to the 
 table, and finds a pen.) Father, where has the writing- 
 paper gone ? 
 
 Midd. Oh — er — I laid it in the right hand drawer, 
 my dear. The — er— the ink is there, also, all except that 
 red ink there. I — er — I'll get it. (He tries the 
 drawer.) Why — er- — this drawer seems to be — er — 
 locked. 
 
 Elea. Oh, never mind, then. I'll just borrow Mr. 
 Bradbury's fountain-pen. You'd not mind if I went in 
 there to get it? 
 
 Midd. Why — er — certainly you may go, my dear. Of 
 course. 
 
 Elea. I'll come right out, and not touch a single thing. 
 
 (Exit to laboratory. Middlebrook returns and tries 
 the locked drawer several times. He is quite pus- 
 zled.) 
 
 Midd. This Is quite strange. Very strange indeed. 
 (He shakes the drawer.) It is — er — quite unaccountable 
 that this drawer should be locked. I — er — I can't under- 
 stand (There is a loud scream front the laboratory, 
 
 followed by the sound of excited voices.) Why, upon my 
 word ! Er — what is that ? 
 
40 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 {He hastens forzvard. The laboratory door opens, 
 Kraft enters hastily. He is follozved by Eleanor 
 and Bradbury. Eleanor's right hand is wrapped 
 in a handkerchief. She is evidently in great pain.) 
 
 Elea. Oh, Father, this awful stuff is Oh, it's 
 
 terrible ! 
 
 MiDD. Why — er — Eleanor, what is it ? 
 
 Brad. Oh, be quick, Mr. Middlebrook ! She's burned 
 her hand — terribly. I upset a beaker full of acid all over 
 the back of her hand. It's eating right into it ! For 
 mercy's sake, do something! You must know what to 
 do! 
 
 MiDD. Oh— er 
 
 Elea. It's terrible, Father! 
 
 MiDD. This is shocking, my dear ! It — er 
 
 Brad. Oh, do something, Mr. Middlebrook! Put 
 something on it to counteract the acid. 
 
 MiDD. Yes, yes. We must counteract it at once. 
 Come, my dear, what was it? 
 
 Elea. Oh, I don't know ! 
 
 MiDD. Er — doesn't any one know? 
 
 Kraft. It was sulphuric acid, sor, concentrated. 
 From the beaker on the table, sor. 
 
 MiDD. Concentrated sulphuric acid! Oh, my dear, 
 this — er — a great misfortune. We must counteract it at 
 once. 
 
 Brad. Do hurry ! What will counteract it — ammonia, 
 or what? 
 
 MiDD. Er — yes. Yes, indeed. Strong ammonia is the 
 only thing. Er — ring for Delia, James. (Kraft obeys.) 
 My poor daughter ! Er— let me see if it is badly burned, 
 (He removes the handkerchief. Eleanor gives an ex- 
 clamation of pain. The flesh on the back of her hand 
 has turned a bright red.) Oh — er — this is most un- 
 fortunate ! 
 
 Brad. It's a terrible thing, Mr. Middlebrook. It was 
 every bit my fault. 
 
 Enter Delia, in haste. 
 Delia. Yes, sir. Is there any trouble? 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 41 
 
 MiDD. Oh — er^ — Delia, the ammonia. Very quickly, 
 please. Er — the large jar out in the closet, you know. 
 
 We must act quickly. Perhaps — er Come right 
 
 out now, my dear, and we'll attend to this. I'm very 
 sorry ! Very sorry indeed ! 
 
 (Exit MiDDLEBRooK, with Eleanor and Bradbury. 
 Delia follows hastily. Kraft turns tozvard the 
 laboratory. Herman enters from the library.) 
 
 Herman. 'Old on a minute, Jim. I 'ave a letter 'ere 
 for Mr. Middlebrook. {He glances around the room.) 
 
 Kraft. For Mr. Middlebrook? 
 
 Herman. The letter is a bluff, sir. It was left as a 
 blind, just twenty minutes ago. It was Tom Cloif him- 
 self, sir, disguised as a hack-driver. Here are his in- 
 structions to you, sir. {He unfolds a paper.) 
 
 Kraft. What? Tom Cloff? Then he must have 
 come less than ten minutes ago. How could he dare 
 
 {He checks himself.) 
 
 Herman {quickly). What do you mean? Come 
 here? When? Who are you talking about? He 
 
 Kraft. Silence ! That was a slip on my part. I 
 want no questions. What is this paper? 
 
 EIerman. Our instructions for to-night, sir. He will 
 come himself soon after seven, and visit the laboratory. 
 He intends to complete the preparation of the explosive 
 at that time. It will be chloride of nitrogen, sir. 
 
 Kraft. Chloride of Sh ! Quick! It's Middle- 
 brook, right at the door ! Get that out of sight ! 
 
 Enter Middlebrook, in haste. 
 
 MiDD. Upon my word, this is most unfortunate. The 
 poor girl is suffering terribly. Oh — er — is that my mail, 
 William? 
 
 (Herman is fairly caught, but bluffs desperately.) 
 
 Herman. Hit his a letter for you^ sir. Left by a 
 'ackman^ sir. 
 
42 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 # 
 
 {He starts to cross the room. He intentionally trips 
 over a rug, and apparently saves hiinself by grasping 
 the back of the Morris chair with his right hand. 
 While he is thus screened from Middlebrook for a 
 second, his right hand leaves the incriminating paper 
 between the cushion and the woodwork of the chair- 
 back, and his left hand adroitly draws the bogus 
 letter from his vest pocket. He rises at once and 
 hands the letter to Middlebrook, who fails to observe 
 the clever stratagem.) 
 
 MiDD. Ah, yes, indeed, for me. Thank you, WilHam. 
 But I must see Mrs. Middlebrook at once, about Eleanor's 
 injury. (He turns toward the hall door.) 
 
 Steele (from the library doorway). I trust your 
 daughter has not been seriously hurt, Mr. Middlebrook. 
 
 (Herman and Kraft turn quickly, to find Steele 
 entering. Herman starts. ) 
 
 MiDD. Why — er — upon my word, you startled me ! 
 
 Steele. Tm very sorry.' I certainly didn't intend to. 
 But I heard considerable excitement in the kitchen, and 
 it seemed as though Miss Middlebrook had perhaps met 
 with some accident. 
 
 MiDD. Er — yes, yes. You are right. It was most 
 unfortunate, Mr. Steele. The poor girl has burned her 
 hand very badly with sulphuric acid. Very badly indeed. 
 
 Steele. Sulphuric acid ! Indeed ! It will cause a ter- 
 rible burn, I fear. I'm sorry to hear of it. You've 
 counteracted the acid, of course. 
 
 MiDD. Er — yes. I thrust her hand directly into a 
 gallon jar of strong ammonia. And — er — that reminds 
 me, James. Kindly make certain at once that no more 
 such acids are left about the laboratory. 
 
 Kraft. Very well, sir. I'll attend to it. 
 
 [Exit to laboratory. 
 
 MiDD. Now, if you'll excuse me, Mr. Steele, I must 
 summon Mrs. Middlebrook. 
 
 Steele. Certainly. I'm very sorry that such an ac- 
 cident has happened. 
 
 (Ejiit Middlebrook, Steele strolls to the table^ and 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 43 
 
 glances over a pile of books. Herman stands in an 
 azvkward silence, casting apprehensive glances in the 
 direction of the Morris chair. He starts to approach 
 the chair, hut Steele turns away from the table and 
 walks slowly to the mantelpiece near the library door. 
 Herman, alarmed, turns the Morris chair a trifle, 
 to hide the back from the Inspector. Steele, sur- 
 veying the mantel, makes no move to leave.) 
 
 Herman {taking a box from the table). Per'aps you 
 would 'ave a cigar, Mr. Steele. You could smoke 'ere or 
 on the veranda, sir. 
 
 Steele. I believe not, thank you, William. I never 
 smoke. 
 
 Herman. Can I do hanything helse for you, sir? A 
 book or magazine, per'aps, in the library, sir. 
 
 (Steele considers the matter.) 
 
 Steele. Why, I'm hardly in the mood for fiction this 
 afternoon. But — er — there is one kind of book that I 
 should particularly like to see for a few minutes. I have 
 no doubt that Mr. Middlebrook has such a book. 
 
 Herman {eagerly), li you will step into the library^ 
 sir, I'll do my best to locate what you wish. 
 
 Steele. Oh, please don't go to any trouble, William. 
 {He still shows no inclination to leave the room.) It 
 isn't at all necessary. I merely wished to find a special 
 volume of chemistry, on the subject 
 
 Herman. There are two fiill sets of chemistry in the 
 library, sir. Hit will be very heasy for me to point them 
 out to you. 
 
 Steele. But it really isn't worth while, William. I 
 merely wished to brighten up a bit on the preparation 
 process for — er — chloride of nitrogen ! 
 
 Herman {unable to restrain a start). Ah — er — yes, 
 sir. Very good, sir. I believe I can find hit, sir. 
 
 Steele. Oh, I'm quite sure that I can find it for my- 
 self, William. I wouldn't trouble you for the vvorld, 
 when you're likely to be so busy very soon. 
 
 Herman {quickly). Busy, sir? I don't — - — 
 
 Steele. Oh, yes, you do. Quite busy with Mr. Mid- 
 dlebrook, and explanations. 
 
44 THlL SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 Herman (alarmed). Ex- — ~- 
 
 Steele. Yes, explanations. Explanations of a forged 
 reference which you handed him four months ago, of a 
 pantry window that sometimes squeaks as it opens in the 
 dead of night, and of footprints in the garden outside. 
 
 Herman. What do you mean ? It's false ! You have 
 no right to accuse me of 
 
 Steele. I accuse you of being a very careless butler, 
 William. " Very careless indeed," as Mr. Middlebrook 
 would say. You lose the salt at times. You forget to 
 lock windows. You trip over rugs, and leave scraps of 
 paper in most unheard-of places ■ 
 
 Herman (starting). It is a lie, sir! You have no 
 right to talk like this ! It is wholly unwarranted, sir ! 
 I 
 
 Steele. Stop ! You're wrong ! (He crosses to the 
 Morris chair, and rests his arms upon the back.) You 
 don't mean that " it is wholly unwarranted," I'm very 
 sure. You mean, " Hit his 'oily hunwarranted," don't 
 you — William ? 
 
 Herman (starting back). Ach Himmel ! 
 
 Steele. Ah, that's more like it, Mr. Herman ! That's 
 more like the man I met in Berlin last January. Oh, one 
 moment, please, before you leave. I-^I fear you've quite 
 forgotten your property. (He draws the concealed paper 
 from the chair-back, and tosses it at Herman's feet. JJ^ith 
 a laugh.) Take this to Mr. Kraft, Herman — with my 
 compliments. Tell him that the walls are solid, and the 
 floor's all right, but the man behind the library door two 
 minutes ago has one pair of eyes and a couple of ears to 
 match. That's all — until this evening. 
 
 (Herman stands an instant in terrified silence. Then 
 he snatches the paper from the floor and flees to the 
 laboratory door. He glances back in dread.) 
 
 Herman. Mein Gott ! What have I done ? 
 
 (Exit to laboratory in terror. Inspector Steele drops 
 back into the Morris chair and shakes in silent 
 laughter. ) 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
3?: 
 
 ACT III 
 
 SCENE. — Middlebrook's private experimental labora- 
 tory. 7.70 p. M. The room is a plain one, without 
 windows, and is fitted out with numerous pieces of 
 chemical apparatus. There are two large tables, at l. 
 and R. Each is covered with complicated glass ap- 
 paratus. Door at r. opening into living-room. Door 
 in c. to closet containing chemicals. Door to storage 
 closet at L. In the farther left-hand corner is a large 
 object, carefully covered by white canvas. On the wall 
 at R., about eight feet from the floor, a large black box, 
 is visible. Lozver down, there is a small red fixture 
 similar to the one in the living-room. 
 
 (MiDDLEBROOK is at work with Kraft at the table at 
 L. He is making tests with several liquids, while his 
 assistant tabidates the results.) 
 
 MiDD. Two more tests, James. First — er — with dilute 
 hydrochloric acid. {He pours a liquid into a test-tube.) 
 No reaction, James. 
 
 Kraft. Yes, sor. No reaction. 
 ; MiDD. Lastly, with — with ammonium hydroxide. {He 
 adds another liquid.) Ah, yes, indeed. White precipi- 
 tate, James, you observe. 
 
 Kraft. Yes, sor. {Makes a note.) 
 
 MiDD. That is — er — quite satisfactory. Very satis- 
 factory indeed. My guests will be greatly pleased by this. 
 '{A knock upon the door.) Er — who it is, please? Is 
 that Mr. Bradbury? {Without ansivering, Steele enters 
 •from the living-room.) Ah, yes, indeed. Inspector. Er — 
 come right in; 
 
 Steele. Thank you. It seems advisable for me to 
 .examine this place a little, Mr. Middlebrook. 
 
 MiDD. " Certainly. James, you may— er — you may 
 inform Monsieur LeClair and Professor Westerberg that 
 the dye compound is finished. 
 . Kraft. Very well, sor. [Exit to living-room,^ 
 
 V ■ - ' 45 
 
46 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 MiDD. Is there — er — anything in particular, Mr. 
 Steele? 
 
 Steele. I'd like a general idea of the place, that's all. 
 {He glances around slowly.) What is that door there, 
 Mr. Middlebrook? (Points to door at c.) 
 
 MiDD. That is my material closet. 1 keep all the — 
 er — chemicals there. And this other door (indicating 
 the one at l.) leads to my storage closet. All my ap- 
 paratus is kept there. 
 
 Steele. They are both locked ? 
 
 MiDD. The — er — the chemical closet is always locked 
 by a combination lock. This other closet here is closed 
 merely by an ordinary spring-lock, which always requires 
 a key to open it. 
 
 Steele. I see. There is no real need for a safety 
 lock in that case. The living-room door, then, is the 
 only possible means of exit from this laboratory. The 
 place has no windows, I observe. I suppose those two 
 sky-lights (pointing overhead) furnish plenty of light- in 
 the daytime. (He points to the canvas-covered object in 
 the corner.) That, I suppose, is the gun which fires your 
 shell. 
 
 MiDD. Er — yes, Mr. Steele. You are correct. I keep 
 it always covered, you see. 
 
 Steele. Very wise, Mr. Middlebrook. That is a 
 marvelous invention, sir — by all odds the greatest that 
 I have ever seen. Let the success of your shell be once 
 proven, and we shall have little fear for our safety on the 
 sea. But what is this on the table here, Mr, Middle- 
 brook? (He has approached the table at r.) 
 
 MiDD. Oh, yes, indeed. A rather complicated ap- 
 paratus, Mr. Steele. A dye preparation arrangement. 
 
 Steele. Oh, yes, Mr. Middlebrook, so I observe. But 
 I meant this small bottle of red liquid here. 
 
 (He picks up a little bottle from ike edge of tJie table.) 
 
 MiDD. Why — er — why, I certainly don't understand 
 that at all. What can it be? And it is uncorked. 1 
 certainly told James not to leave any more substances 
 lying uncovered here. (Steele smells the liqvJd, and 
 examines it car ef idly.) Er — could it be acid, with litmus? 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 47 
 
 Steele. Possibly. It looks to me more like red ink. 
 It has the smell of ink, also. There's the stopper, on the 
 floor. {He stoops and recovers it.) 
 
 MiDD. I cannot possibly imagine where this could 
 have come from. 
 
 (Steele very thoughtfully replaces the bottle upon 
 the table. He then points to the large black alarm- 
 box on the wall.) 
 
 Steele. I'd like to make sure that that alarm is re- 
 liable, Mr. Middlebrook. I believe I'd better take a look 
 at it. {He takes a chair and stands on it.) 
 
 MiDD. Oh — er — certainly. 
 
 Steele. I see that the box is padlocked. There are 
 several sets of wires here.' You say that Detective Brad- 
 bury arranged this? 
 
 MiDD. Er — yes — Mr. Bradbury. He installed it him- 
 self, I understand. 
 
 Steele {nodding). I see. Well, I'll have to get him 
 to explain it to me. There appear to be three sets of 
 wires. 
 
 MiDD. The alarm is silenced now, of course, by the 
 combination. {He goes toward the small red box.) 
 I — er — I'll disarrange the combination, if you wish. 
 
 Steele {quickly). No, no! {He steps down from 
 the chair.) Not now, Mr. Middlebrook. There is really 
 no need to bother about it until later. 
 
 {A knock upon the living-room door. Herman 
 enters.) 
 
 Herman {to Middlebrook). Detective Bradbury 'as 
 returned, sir. 'E wishes to speak to you in the living- 
 room. 
 
 MiDD. Oh — er — very well, William. Please excuse 
 me, Mr. Steele. I shall return directly. 
 
 {Exit Middlebrook. Herman starts to follow.) 
 
 Steele. A word with you now, Mr. Herman. (Her- 
 man wheels around., instinctively motioning for silence.) 
 
lUl^ 4*He submarine shell 
 
 Oh, you needn't worry. I'm not going to give yen 
 'away— yet. Now listen. You've probably wondered 
 why I haven't arrested you during the afternoon. I'll 
 tell you. I want this thing to be attempted at ten o'clock 
 to-night. Go right ahead with your scheme, my friend, 
 and blow -up this place — if you can! I know your 
 hand ■ - 
 
 Herman. You think you do. Inspector' Steele ! 
 
 Steele. I knozv I do. You're not arrested yet be- 
 cause I'm not working to get you alone. I'm after bigger 
 game than you to-night, my man ! And I'm -after bigger 
 game tlian the worthy Hans Kraft, alias James -McGradyJ 
 
 Herman (starting). Ach ! You mean Toni Clo'ff? 
 
 Steele. Oh',^r-ve -heard enough of that I I knov/ as 
 well as you that the •ria4Tie "Tom Cloff " is only a blind. 
 I'll land that man to-night ! You expect him here soon. 
 I know that; When he comes, if you make the slightest 
 attempt to warn him of my knowledge — (he drazvs an 
 automatic pistol frpmhis^ pocket, and replaces it) I'll give 
 ■you a taste of your own game, Mr. Herman! 
 
 Herman. You'll never get Cloff ! 
 
 Steele. Oh, ^,very well. But I'll get the man with a 
 capital-'- Jv " that ismade like an " H " and an " F," and 
 two " d's"*' -that -are surely not mates ! Verstehen sie das, 
 Herr Herman? Very well. Good-evening, sir! 
 
 (HER]\rAN stands silent for an instant, as if contem- 
 plating an attack upon the Inspector. He leaves 
 slowly. Steele again seizes the chair, and hurries 
 to the black box on the wall. Suddenly he springs 
 dozvn quickly, and turns azvay. Enter Kraft, fol- 
 lozved by LeClair and Westerberg.) 
 
 Kraft. Oh, sure, an' I'm sorry, gentlemen. Misther 
 Midfilebrook has left the laberatorry. : 
 
 LeClair. Eet eez unfortunate. Mais voila Monsieur 
 zee Inspector! • , ^ • 
 
 Steele. Good-evening, Monsieur LeClair, and Pro- 
 fessor Westerberg. I understand that'Mr. Middlcbrook 
 has just finished the preparation of your compound. 
 
 West. Yes, yes. It va.s this assistant vich had tolt 
 us dat. But-vere to find the gentleman? 
 
THii SUBMARINE SHELL 4^ 
 
 Steele. He will return very shortly, I believe. At 
 present he is busy with the detective. 
 
 (Kraft busies himself at the table at l.) 
 
 LeClair. Ah, oui, zee detectif ! Eet eez ever zee 
 detectif, with Monsieur Middlebrook ! Cet homme a peur 
 toujours ! Ah, pardon, Monsieur. Again I forget that 
 •you do not comprehend zee French. 
 
 West. Of course the Inspector unterstant the French, 
 Inline friend. : For vat you tink he spent such great time 
 ::in Pai'is, unless he unterstant? 
 
 ' LeClair. Then eez eet so, Monsieur Steele ? You 
 'comprehend? (Steele nods.) Bien, Monsieur! Per- 
 haps Monsieur zee Professor also comprehends, n'est-ce 
 •pas? 
 
 West. Of course I unterstant ! Dat is van insult 
 .Venn: you say I cannot imterstant ! I cannot only unter- 
 stant, but I can speak the French. 
 
 LeClair. Ah, Monsieur zee Professor, but I have 
 heard Germans in great numbers who have said that. 
 Eet eez too often but a boast. They come to Paris, et 
 voila ! They are helpless. 
 
 West. I vill soon show you if is it a boast, Flerr 
 LeClair ! Ant if you tink .to make joke of me, I vill show 
 you better ! 
 
 Steele {greatly amused by the argument). Suppose 
 you test him, Monsieur LeClair. 
 
 LeClair. Ah, bon. Monsieur Steele ! Eet eez well 
 spoken. Let us imagine, that 3^ou are in Paris, Mon- 
 sieur zee Professor. You have entered into a store. 
 
 West. Veil, veil? Vat next? 
 
 LeClair. And you have need of — ah, well, let us 
 imagine that you have need of a pound of tea. Perhaps 
 you can demand that in French, Monsieur. 
 
 West. Dat is most simple, I can tell you. I vould 
 
 say — er — I vould say — veil, I vould say, " Je — je- " 
 
 Ach, yes !' " Je veux un livre de the." 
 
 LeClair {laughing convidsively). Ha! ha! ha! Ah, 
 but you do not comprehend what you have said ! Have 
 you remarked that sentence. Monsieur Steele? Eet eez 
 idiotic I 
 
5^ THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 West. Dat is correct, now I vill tell you ! 
 LeClair. Ha ! ha ! Monsieur has wished to say " Je 
 yeux une livre de the," and he has said, '' Je veux tin 
 livre de the." You comprehend the meaning of that 
 n'est-ce pas, Monsieur Steele ! Cest ridicule ! Ha ' ha ' 
 He say, " I wish a book of tea." A book of tea » Ha ' 
 ha ! Cest idiot ! 
 
 West. Veil, veil, vat is the difference? It is correct 
 vat I have said, I tink. 
 
 LeClair What difference, you say ? A book of tea ! 
 Ha ! ha ! I fear Monsieur would have a book zee most 
 crumbly, n est-ce pas? I permit you to judge this argu- 
 mentation for us. Monsieur Steele. Have you ever heard 
 spoken of such a book as that? 
 
 Steele (laughing). I guess Professor Westerber^ 
 wins, this time. 
 
 LeClair. Non ! Non ! He cannot be correct' A 
 
 book of tea ! Whoever 
 
 Steele. That's just the point, you see. He mi^ht 
 
 have a pretty fair book, even at that. It would be 
 
 crumbly, as you say, but wouldn't it have— leaves— in it^ 
 
 LeClair. Mon Dieu ! Tea-leaves, n'est-ce pas ^ Let 
 
 eez one joke zee most remarkable ! 
 
 West. You are mine f rient, Herr Steele ! 
 ^ LeClair. But no doubt we discommode you. Mon- 
 sieur Steele, with this joking which is so idle. Were you 
 not standing upon zee chair before we have entered? 
 (Steele ts startled. Kraft glances up sharply from his 
 work.) Eez eet not correct. Monsieur? Did I not hera 
 you stepping down as we approached zee door ? 
 
 Steele (quietly). I observe. Monsieur LeClair, that 
 you have most excellent ears, as well as eyes. 
 
 LeClair. Ha ! ha ! Then I was not deceived? You 
 were upon zee chair? 
 
 Steele. Quite right, Monsieur LeClair. I was 
 LeClair Ha ! ha ! ha ! Voila ! Eet eez once more 
 that you have said him! You said, "Quite right" 
 n est-ce pas? Eef you should try one tho^isand vears. 
 Monsieur, you could never prevent to use this expression. 
 Let eez impossible for you ! 
 
 Steele. Oh, no, not at all Far from it. If I really 
 
THE SUnrvlARlNE SMELL 51 
 
 wisliecl, I could stop at any minute, for any length of time. 
 Suppose I should ever go to Germany, Monsieur Le- 
 Gair — to spy. Do you believe I'd ever use those ex- 
 pressions on such a mission as that? That's my strongest 
 asset in secret service work — the fact that I can lose my 
 personality entirely when in disguise. 
 
 LeClatr {shaking his head). You merely think that 
 you could stop using them. If you should start trying 
 now, you would still use them a thousand times within 
 a week. 
 
 Steele. Oh, no. 
 
 LeClair. But I will make one little bet with you. 
 You could not go — you could not go even the rest of this 
 evening without using them ! 
 
 Steele {afler considering the matter a moment). Just 
 how many of your dollars say that. Monsieur LeClair? 
 
 LeClair. Bien ! Bien ! I have twenty dollars which 
 say you cannot ! 
 
 Steele {quickly). Oh, very well! I have twenty 
 more that say I can. I'll give you a little demonstration, 
 Monsieur LeClair ! 
 
 LeClair. Then eet eez a bet, n'est-ce pas? Twenty 
 dollars that you will say either " Quite right " or " With 
 great success " before midnight ! 
 
 Steele {shaking hands). It is a bet. Monsieur! 
 
 LeClair. And I shall be zee winner ! 
 
 Enter Middlebrook and Bradp.i^ry. 
 
 MiDD. Ah, yes, indeed, gentlemen. The — er — the 
 compound is complete ! 
 
 {Exclamations of approval from LeClair and West- 
 erberg. ) 
 
 Vv^EST. I am very sorry to say vat I haf to say, Herr 
 Middlebrook, but ve must attent to this matter at vonce. 
 I haf only ten minutes hence received a telegram {ex- 
 hihiting a yellow envelope from his right coat pocket, and 
 replacing it) vich is of greatest importance. I must 
 leafe at least by eight o'clock, Herr Middlebrook. 
 
 MiDD. Oh — er — this is unfortunate, Professor. Most 
 
5^ tHE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 imiOitunate. I — er — I shall attend to this immediately. 
 (He sicfs to the table at l., zvhere Kraft is sill! zvorkuuj. 
 Le Clair and Westerberg arc close by his side, zvhile 
 ]3i:adbury and Steele are just behind.) There, genllc- 
 liien. This is the result obtained from my new com- 
 pound. (They bend eagerly over the table.) 
 
 LilClair. Ah, that eez marvelous. Monsieur ! 
 
 West. Upon mine honor, dat is right ! 
 
 LeClair. And behold zee color, which eez zee most 
 remarkable ! 
 
 MiDD. And nov/, gentlemen, let us try the effect of a 
 weak acid upon this. {He bends over the table zvith a 
 bottle in his hand. LeClair and Vv^esterberg lean over 
 eagerly to zvatch. Bradbury pushes forvuard to observe 
 the resiUt. Steele, zvith a quick dexterity, suddenly 
 reaches forzvard and zvifhdrazvs the yellozv telegram from 
 Westerberg's pocket. Szjoiftly and silently he scans the 
 message inside, zvhile the Professor is absorbed in the 
 experiment. Then zvith a deft motion he again leans 
 forzvard and replaces it in the pocket. He nods slowly 
 to himself.) There, gentlemen! Behold a perfect dye- 
 ing compound ! 
 
 (LeClair and Westerberg are zvild zvith delight.) 
 
 LeClair. I shall report this to my company to-mor- 
 row, Monsieur. x\nd they shall buy ! 
 
 West. Ach, nein ! It is not your company vich vill 
 buy ! I, too, shall make report to-morrow. Ant ve shall 
 see. But I must leafe, Herr Middlebrook. I am very 
 sorry, but I remember my telegram, vich is most urgent. 
 (He hastens to the door.) So I vill bit goot-efening to 
 all you gentlemen. 
 
 (Midd-lebTkOGK hastens to.shozv him out. He is fol- 
 lowed by LeClair. The three men leave the room 
 together. Steele starts to follow, but turns quickly 
 to Bradbury.) 
 
 Steele. I would like to question you, Bradbury, in 
 
 regard to one matter. Ld like a little aid in 
 
 Brad. Oh, indeed? You'd like to question me? 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 53 
 
 Doesn't it seem a bit strange for Inspector Steele of the 
 National Secret Service to be asking aid from a private 
 detective? It seems a bit out of place, doesn't it? 
 
 Steele. It seems a bit more ont of place for you to 
 make an}^ such reply as that to my request, Bradbury ! 
 I'll warn you once, and once only, that I'm here at this 
 house in behalf of the Government's interests. And I'll 
 take just about one more such answer from you ! 
 
 Brad. Really? How fortunate that you are willing 
 to take one more ! Well — what do you wish ? 
 
 Steele. I want an explanation of the working of that 
 alarm-box on the wall, if you please. It's padlocked, and 
 I can't open it. , 
 
 Brad. I see. Very well. It contains mechanism for 
 controlling the alarms. 
 
 Steele. That is quite evident. But there are three 
 sets of wires there. Please explain them. 
 
 Brad. Oh, very well, if you understand electricity. 
 There are three separate circuits, arranged separately in- 
 side the box. The middle one con.trols the bell inside the 
 box. The one on the left controls the bell in Mr. Middle- 
 brook's room up-stairs.- The; right-hand one controls the 
 big alarm-bell on the veranda. Can you understand that 
 now, or do you' wish mfe to repeat' it ? - 
 
 Steele. I can. {He takes a pad of paper and a 
 pencil from "his pocket.) I,l^elieve I'll. make sure of that 
 right now. {He^he:^ifis-to^~zvrite upon the paper.) A 
 very rough diagrafn w^U be all that is necessary. There. 
 Left one controls tlie bell in"' the box. 'Middle one con- 
 trols the bell in the room up-stairs. -'^ Right one — ^ 
 
 Brad. Wait a minute. That's not -ri^ht. 
 
 Steele. Not r-igtit^? Wasn't that" what you said ? 
 
 Brad. And you 'fliink I said that? (//£? laughs.) 
 You're a wonder, all right, Inspector Steele ! 
 
 Steele. Come, coiiie!' That's what you said, and I'll 
 guarantee it! .•^' •; : 
 
 Brad. And I'll guarantee that it isn't ! I said that the 
 
 middle one Oh, what's the use of trying to get it 
 
 through your head, anyv/ay? Give me the paper, and I'll 
 straighten it out for you. {Condescendingly he takes the 
 paper, scratches out Steele's ivorh, and writes for a 
 
54 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 moment.) There you are — Inspector Steele. Middle 
 one controls the box bell. Left controls Middlebrook's 
 room bell. Right controls veranda gong. That's what 
 I said in the first place ! 
 
 Steele (taking the paper). I'm much obliged for 
 your trouble. That's all I'll need, for the present. 
 
 (He studies the paper keenly, and places it car ef idly 
 in his pocket.) 
 
 Brad, (turning to Kraft). Inspection now, if you 
 please. 
 
 Kraft (rising). Yes, sor. 
 
 (A knock upon the door. Bradbury starts to open it, 
 hut Steele intercepts him.) 
 
 Steele. Who is there, please? 
 
 Elea. (from outside). Oh, it's the Inspector, Mar- 
 garet. Never mind, then. We were only looking for 
 Mr. Bradbury. 
 
 Brad. I'm in here, now, for inspection. You may 
 both come in, if you like. 
 
 Steele (quickly). Do you consider that wise, Brad- 
 bury ? 
 
 Brad. Of course. What harm? (Raising his voice.) 
 Come, ahead. 
 
 Enter Eleanor, foUozved by Margaret. The latter is 
 still carrying her blue knitting-bag. 
 
 Elea. So you're here again, Mr. Bradbury. Good- 
 evening, Inspector. You — you are still on the lookout for 
 some " danger," I suppose. 
 
 Steele, Quite r — or rather, very true. Miss Middle- 
 brook. I hope that your injury has not been very serious. 
 
 Brad. Yes, indeed. How is your hand now? 
 
 Elea. (raising her bandaged right hand). Oh, it's 
 really much better now, thank you. Father attended to 
 it very carefully. But you nearly lost twenty dollars a 
 minute ago, didn't you, Inspector? 
 
 Steele. Oh, then my friend LeClair has been spread- 
 ing the news of our bet already. Yes, I almost lost. 
 But " almosts " don't count, Miss Middlebrook. 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 55 
 
 Elea. I suppose not. But I have a message to de- 
 liver to Mr. Bradbury. The chief plain-clothesman is on 
 the veranda, and has a report to make. 
 
 Brad. Thank you. I'll come at once. 
 
 Elea. Come, Margaret. You aren't at all like your- 
 self to-night. I don't believe you've spoken a word for 
 half an hour. You must come with us. 
 
 Marg. I'd like very much to come, if I could. But 
 I really — I really must see Mr. Middlebrook for just a 
 minute. {She turns /o Kraft.) Could you find him for 
 me, James? 
 
 Kraft. I'll try, ma'am, I don't know where he is, 
 but I'll look him up. 
 
 Marg. Thank you. Don't wait for me, Eleanor, 
 please. I'll be right out. {Exit Eleanor, with Brad- 
 bury, zvho has forgotten the inspection. Kraft follozvs 
 them. Steele also starts toward the door. ) I beg your 
 pardon, but may I speak to you for just a moment? 
 
 Steele {exhibiting surprise). To me, Miss Linden? 
 
 Marg. Yes, please. I — I don't want to see Mr. 
 Middlebrook at all. I know he's out on the lawn, where 
 it will take James a half hour to find him, I — I wanted 
 a chance to speak to you. 
 
 Steele. Why — how strange. 
 
 Marg. {going on with a great effort). Yes, it does 
 seem very strange, Mr. Steele. But I — I wanted to apolo- 
 gize for my words to you this afternoon. I was too 
 hasty, and I did not mean one of them. I wondered if 
 you could possibly forget them. 
 
 {She is plainly forcing herself to make this hurried 
 apology.) 
 
 Steele {coldly). Certainly, Miss Linden. In fact, 
 they were words which I should be very glad to forget. 
 
 Marg. I realize now how unreasonable I was. I had 
 hoped that we might forget our unpleasantness, Mr. 
 Steele, and be friends. 
 
 (Steele is puzzled. He glances at her quickly. ) 
 Steele. Why, certainly, if you like. {He shrugs his 
 
56 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 shoulders sligliily.) Friends we are, then, if it pleases 
 you, Miss Linden. 
 
 Marg. I see that you haven't yet forgotten my re- 
 marks to-day. I really shouldn't have asked you to. 
 
 Steele. Why, of course I've forgotten them. I'll 
 never mention them again. I'll probably never even 
 think of them. Er — was that all, Miss Linden? 
 
 Marg. (quickly). Yes, thank you. I'll not keep you 
 any longer. (She turns: toward the door, but hesitates. 
 She glances hack at Steele, who is now studying fhe 
 apparatus on the table at l. Suddenly she turns and 
 comes quickly back.) Oh, Mr. Steele, I want to ask 
 you just one question, if I may. I must ask you. 
 
 Steele {in mild surprise). Very well. 
 
 Marg. It's a strange question, but I — I hope you'H 
 answer it — and think about it. It's in regard to — to— 
 death. 
 
 Steele {in astonishment). I certainly don't- 
 
 This is surprising. Miss Linden. 
 
 Marg. I realize that. But please answer me. You've 
 been in Germany many times, Mr. Steele. You've faced 
 death again and again as a probability. But have you 
 ever thought of it as a — as a reality, and as being at hand? 
 
 (Steele, ^z°?7^^ Jier a long, searching glance.) 
 
 Steele. Yes. I don't see why you ask such a ques- 
 tion, but I'm ver}^ glad to answer. There have been three 
 such moments in my life. In all three cases I've had the 
 luck on my side — and here I am. That's all. 
 
 Marg. But if you had not had luck? What then? 
 
 Steele. Five years ago, it might have made some 
 difference. But now it wouldn't matter. You see, I've 
 been learning how little a life is really worth in the world. 
 
 Marg. But surely you can't mean that you don't — 
 don't care about living. 
 
 Steele. Precisely. I realize that I'll probably be 
 needed in America for a few years yet. For that reason, 
 I'll be careful. 
 
 Marg. And as long as the nation is safe, you won't 
 care about 
 
THI- SUBMARINE 'SHELL' ^f. 
 
 Steele. I'll not care about anytliing, Miss Linden. 
 There's nothing in the world for me except America. 
 There never can be. 
 
 Marg. I'm sorry you feel so about things. 
 
 Steele (quickly). But why do you ask me such ques- 
 tions, please ? 
 
 Maug. Oh, I haven't any reason. That is — I feel that 
 I must. I'll not ask any more. 
 
 Steele. But there is something back of this. I 
 
 Enter Kraft. 
 
 Kraft. Misther Middlebrook is not in his room. Miss 
 Linden, an' I'm blest if I know where he could have gone, 
 miss. 
 
 Marg. Oh, never mind, then. You don't happen to 
 know where he is, Mr. Steele? I thought perhaps 
 
 (She chokes suddenly, realizing the mistake that she 
 has made.) 
 
 Steele. I heard that he was on the lawn, Miss Lin- 
 den. {He hesitates, and glances at each.) I'd be glad 
 to call him into the living-room for you. 
 
 {He turns and walks out slowly,) 
 
 Kraft. Ach, you are clever, Miss Linden. It was 
 tlie work of an artist~the way you made a chance to talk 
 Vvilh him, and then got rid of him. 
 
 IvIarg. Not so clever as you think, I'm afraid. I've 
 made a mistake — a bad one. I'm not used to playing such 
 a double game as this. " It was I who told him that Mr. 
 Middlebrook was on the lawn. And just now I went and 
 asked him if he knew where he v/as ! 
 
 Kraft. Ah, that is bad. But he could never notice a 
 tiny slip like that. 
 
 Marg. Oh, but I know that he has noticed it ! Didn't 
 you see the way he looked at us ? 
 
 Kraft. But he didn't say anything. If he noticed it, 
 he must have had you dead to rights, and still kept silent. 
 How can you account for that ? 
 
 Marg. Oh, I don't know ! 
 
58 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 Kraft. Ach ! It is impossible ; don't spend time 
 worrying about that. Is he satisfied with your apology ? 
 Did you make it right with him? 
 
 Marg. I — I apologized, as you ordered. But I — I 
 believe he understood that I didn't mean it at heart. 
 
 Kraft. I warned you to guard against that, Miss Lin- 
 den ! If he becomes suspicious of you and causes trouble 
 for us to-night, it will be your fault, and yours shall be 
 the consequences ! Let that be plain. 
 
 Marg. I understand, Mr. Kraft. 
 
 Kraft. You have the flask of cyanogen there? 
 
 Marg. (exhibiting the knitting-bag). In the bag, as 
 you ordered. 
 
 Kraft. Gut ! See that you keep it there. Now, 
 these are your instructions for to-night. Listen. As 
 soon as we can get this laboratory clear now, Tom Cloff 
 himself is coming into the house, to make final prepara- 
 tions. You know what position he holds in our system, 
 and you realize that he must work in safety. I'm afraid 
 of Steele to-night ! You must be close at hand in the 
 living-room, with the cyanogen, every minute. If Cloff 
 should be trapped here in the laboratory by Steele 
 
 Marg. Oh, I can't do it ! I won't do it ! 
 
 Kraft. Oh, yes you will, Miss Linden ! Not another 
 word of that ! You keep the flask in that bag. When I 
 give the signal to you, you are to hand that flask to me, 
 without one second of delay! 
 
 Marg. (clenching her hands). ' Very well, Mr. Kraft. 
 The signal, if you please! 
 
 Kraft. Gut ! It is a German countersign — " Werk' 
 ohne fehler." You can't forget it. '' Werk' ohne fehler." 
 
 Marg. I understand. 
 
 Kraft. Then be on hand while Cloff is here. When 
 you hear those words from me, hand me that flask! 
 And we'll send Inspector Steele Sh ! 
 
 Enter Eleanor and Bradbury. 
 
 Elea. Margaret, we've been waiting for you over 
 fifteen minutes. Are you ever coming? 
 
 Marg. (quickly). Oh, yes. I'll come right away. 
 I'm sorry to have made you wait. 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 59 
 
 (Eleanor, Margaret, and Bradbury go out, leaving 
 Kraft alone. He glances quickly at his watch. 
 There is a step at the door. Enter Steele.) 
 
 Steele. I wonder if you would do a little favor for 
 me — er — James. Please step outside and tell Miss 
 Middlebrook that I would like to speak to her here, for 
 just one moment. 
 
 Kraft {after hesitating). Yes, son [Exit. 
 
 (Steele stands quietly gazing around the room for an 
 instant. Again he springs upon the chair and ex- 
 amines the black alarm-box. He draws a knife from 
 his pocket and zvorks vtpon the wires for a moment, 
 as though he intended to disarrange the alarm. He 
 drops down suddenly, with one hand raised to his 
 head as if in deep thought, and stands for a moment 
 with the other hand grasping the back of the chair. 
 He draws Bradbury's diagram from his pocket and 
 studies it an instant. Enter Eleanor. She has a 
 very puzzled air.) 
 
 Elea. Mr. Steele, did I — er — did I understand James 
 to say that you wished to speak to me ? 
 
 Steele. Quite — correct, Miss Middlebrook. I did 
 wish to talk to you, upon a very serious subject. 
 
 Elea. Why — why, I'm sure I don't understand ! 
 
 Steele. I'll try to explain. I'm very much worried, 
 Miss Middlebrook, about what may happen to-night. 
 
 Elea. Oh, you still believe there is 
 
 Steele. There is danger — great danger. It may seem 
 impossible to you, but it is true. I — I may be in great 
 need of help, a little later. Your father will not be per- 
 suaded that this matter is serious. Detective Bradbury is 
 not my friend ; I can't depend on him. I — I wish you'd 
 promise to do what you can for me. Miss Middlebrook. 
 
 Elea. / ! 
 
 Steele. Yes. I don't know who else there is that 
 I could ask. I'd like to — I'd like to trust you if I could. 
 I'd like to feel that you were willing to help me out. 
 
 Elea. {zvith her eyes zvide zvith zvonder). Oh, Mr. 
 Steele, this is — it's very tmexpected. I'm very greatly 
 honored that you should have confidence in me. 
 
60 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 Stefxe. Then can I trust you? 
 
 Elea. Oh, of course you can ! I'd do anything I 
 could for you ! 
 
 Steele. I thank you — Miss Middlebrook. You'll 
 promise to help me if you can, won't you? Won't you, 
 please? 
 
 {He takes her right hand in his, and presses it firmly. 
 She glances up quickly, her eyes filled with wonder.) 
 
 Elea. "Why Oh, Mr. Steele, you know there's 
 
 nothing I'd rather do than {She starts suddenly.) 
 
 Oh, my hand ! It's burned, and you're hurting it terribly ! 
 
 Steele (releasing her hand quickly). Oh, I'm sorry! 
 I beg your pardon. I didn't reahze which hand I had 
 taken. I thank you for your willingness to help nie, 
 
 Elea. Oh, you know I'd be glad to do it ! 
 
 Steele. I'm very much obliged. But I'll not keep 
 you any longer now, if your friends are waiting. 
 
 Elea. Oh, all right. We'll see you later, then. [Exit. 
 
 (Steele stands silent for an instant, gating at the door 
 through which she has left. At length he nods_ 
 quietly to himself, a trifle sadly, and slozvly zvalks to 
 the door.) 
 
 Steele. James. 
 Kraft {appearing). Yes, sor. 
 
 Steele. I intend to leave the laboratory now, until 
 nine o'clock. You may lock the door. [Exit. 
 
 Kraft. Yes, sor. 
 
 {He turns off the light, and leaves, closing the door. 
 The room remains in darkness for a short period.^ 
 Then a key is quietly inserted in the lock. There is, 
 a sound of the door opening. The lights flMsh on^. 
 revealing Kraft, who is silently beckoning to somd 
 one outside. Enter Tom Gloff. Kraft closes and 
 locks the door. Gloff is a man of medium height. 
 He is clad in a long, dark overcoat which extends to; 
 his ankles. He wears ci dark cap. His face is 
 masked by a car ef idly arranged black cloth, which 
 completely conceals his features. His voice is in^ 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 6I:' 
 
 tentionally lozv-pitched and unnatural as he con- 
 verses with Kraft.) 
 
 Cloff. The explosive all right? 
 
 Kraft. All right, sir. 
 
 Cloff. The cyanogen ? 
 
 Kraft. It is ready. 
 
 Cloff. And Steele? 
 
 Kraft. On the veranda, 
 
 Cloff. Keep him there, live minutes. Keep watch 
 outside this cloor. At any sound, rap four times. 
 
 Kraft. Yes, sir. And the cyanogen is ready for 
 Steele if he comes! (Cloff checks him.) 
 
 Cloff. Not imtil needed absolutely. You know my 
 own signal ; you remember the words. Not until I give it. 
 
 Kraft. Right, sir. {He steps outside, quietly closing 
 the door. Cloff hastily starts to remove his coat, hut 
 suddenly changes his mind. He turns toward the ap- 
 paratus closet at l. His ozvn key unlocks the door. He 
 opens it, and hurries hack to the other side of the room. 
 He climbs upon the chair and tries to fit a similar key into 
 the lock on the alarm-box. Four quiet knocks upon the 
 door. Instantly Cloff springs dozvn, snaps off the light ^ 
 and stands listening. Kraft, from outside.) But I tell 
 you, I haven't the key here. 
 
 Delia {also from outside). Ah, faith, phwat do I 
 care for you an' yer key ! I tell you, Misther Steele 
 wants his book. I've got the key here that Misther 
 Middlebrook gave him, an' I'm goin' to get his book for 
 him ! (Cloff, using a flash-light, creeps back into a cor- 
 ner. Delia's key rattles in the lock. The door opens, 
 admitting a faint light.) Faith, man, an' phwat was all 
 yer fuss about? The door weren't no more locked than 
 nothin'. {She advances toward the table at l.) Sure, 
 an' he left it on the table, he said. It's not here. 
 
 Kraft. He never left no book here, Delia. Phwat 
 ails th' man ? Here, you don't need the light. Anybody 
 can see there's no such thing here. 
 
 Delia. I've a mind to have a better look fer 't, any- 
 way. 
 . Kraft. Here, here ! Wait ! Don't put the light on ! 
 
62 THE SUBMARINxi SHELL 
 
 Delia. Don't be orcleiin' me 'roun' here, Jim Mc- 
 Grady ! {She sekes the switch. The light snaps on. 
 Cloff is revealed croiicJiing in the corner. Delia throws 
 itp her hands and gives a blood-curdling shriek.) Saint 
 Paihrick preserve me ! There's a man in the laberatorry ! 
 Help! Help! (She races iozvard the door.) Help! 
 Help! Murder! Misther Middlebrook! [Exit. 
 
 (The house is in an uproar at once. Cloff springs 
 from the corner. His voice rings out sharply.) 
 
 Cloff {to Kraft). Get outside that door, and keep 
 them back one minute ! On your life ! 
 
 (Kraft leaps forward to obey. The door bangs be- 
 hind him. Cloff races forward and turns a key in 
 the lock. He glances once around the room, and 
 hastens to the open storage closet. Suddenly he 
 stops, and listens intently. A great commotion out- 
 side the locked door. Excited voices can be heard 
 in loud tones.) 
 
 Delia. I sv/ear by Saint Pathrick, Misther Middle- 
 brook, he's in there now ! 
 
 Kraft. I can't open the door, sor ! He's locked it on 
 the inside ! AVait ! Wait ! My key's up-stairs ! 
 
 Mrs. M. We can't v/ait, Warren ! He may be setting 
 a bomb now. 
 
 MiDD. Er — open the door! We ;;/2?^/ open it ! 
 
 [The knob is rattled vainly.) 
 
 Elea. We can't open it. Father ! Don't go in, with 
 that terrible man in there ! Oh, here's the Inspector ! 
 
 (Cloff gives an exclamation of rage, and turns tozvard 
 the storage closet. He hesitates. The door is struck 
 a violent blow.) 
 
 Steele. Corne now, my man, who's in there? 
 
 Kraft. Faith, an' Fm sure I don't know, sor ! I 
 
 Steele, Enou2h of that bluff! I'll give you two sec- 
 onds to open the door, or I'll smash it in with this hatchet I 
 
THE SUBMARIlSrK SHELL 63 
 
 (Cloff stares aroiind ike room in dcspcraiion. He 
 starts iozvard the covered gun, but turns back.) 
 
 Kraft. I can't open it without the key ! 
 Steele. The 
 In front of me ! 
 
 Steele. Then stand back! No! No! Right there ! 
 
 (Cloff dashes across the room to the switch on the 
 wall. The light again snaps out. His footsteps are 
 heard as he races back. There is a heavy crash upon 
 the door, and a sound of splintering timber. This is 
 followed by another. The shattered door swings 
 back, admitting a very dim light.) 
 
 Elea. (in fear). Oh, Mr. Steele, keep out! He has 
 a gun ; he'll shoot you ! 
 
 Steele. Who has a gun? He'll shoot me, will he, 
 and give away his game at eight o'clock ? Into this room 
 with me, Mr. Middlebrook ! We'll trap that man ! (The 
 crozvd pushes into the room in the darkness. Excited 
 voices are heard as they search.) Stand guard by the 
 door, Mr. Middlebrook ! Don't let him pass, and keep 
 both your servants out ! I'll find him ! 
 
 (He races forward toward the table at l. Some one 
 else, follozving, trips over a chair.) 
 
 Elea. It's I, Inspector ! I'll help you ! 
 
 Steele. No! No, Miss Middlebrook! Keep back! 
 Go back this instant, and keep watch in the living-room ! 
 
 Elea. All right ! I will ! I'll go ! (She gropes her zvay 
 to the door.) Father, let me out! Oh, quick! [Exit. 
 
 (The door of the storage closet slams suddenly.) 
 
 MiDD. He's gone into the closet ! 
 Steele. Look out ! Don't move from that door ! 
 The lights ! The lights, this instant ! 
 Mrs. M. Here ! Here ! 
 
 (The light snaps on. Middlebrook is standing in front 
 of the doorway. Mrs. Middlebrook and Margaret 
 are at his side. Behind them are Delia, Kraft, and 
 Herman. Steele and Bradbury are vainly search- 
 
(ji^ THE SUBMARINE SHEU** 
 
 ing in Hie. center of ike room. Cloff has cojnplttely 
 
 disappeared. The closet door is closed.). 
 
 Delta. He's gone ! Disappeared, sir ! 
 
 (LeClair suddenly races into the room.) 
 
 LeClair. Mon Dieu ! Eel eez exciting ! Eet eez ex- 
 citing ! 
 
 Enter Eleanor, with a terrified expression. 
 
 Brad. Stand back, now, every one. V/e'll find that 
 man ! 
 
 MiDD. Ah, yes, Bradbury; you're just in time. Er — 
 do find him ! 
 
 (Bradbury races forzvard and peers under the covered 
 gun. Steele foUozvs.) 
 
 Steele. Not there ! 
 
 MiDD. The closet, gentlemen ! The closet ! 
 
 (Bradbury springs to unlock the closet door, with 
 Steele at his side. They peer inside.) 
 
 Brad. Good Heavens ! The place is empty ! 
 
 Steele. Empty is right, sir ! 
 
 Brad. He's gone, Mr. Middlebrook ! Gone ! Faded 
 away, right from before our eyes! (Middleerook 
 hastens to the little chemical closet, sets the coinbination 
 on the lock, and opens the door. Bradbury follozvs.) 
 Empty there, too ! You've li^X him get prist you at the 
 door ! 
 
 MiDD. No, no ! Fll swear to that ! 
 
 Brad. There's nowhere else he could have gone, Mr. 
 Middlebrook ! He gave you the slip ! 
 
 MiDD. I'll stake my reputation, Mr. Bradbury ! No- 
 body except my daughter has passed through this door! 
 
 Brad. You must be wrong! 
 
 MiDD. Oh, this is — supernatural ! 
 
 Brad. Bah ! You've let him escape ! It's useless to 
 deny that ! 
 
 MiDD. No, no, no! 
 
 Brad. All ridit. Then tell us where he went ! 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 65 
 
 (Mid])li:brook shakes his head in despair.) 
 
 ST]i:i^.LE. 77/ tell you where he went, Mr. Middlebrook ! 
 
 Brad, (startled) . What's that you say? 
 
 Sti:ele. I know how he escaped, and where he is 
 now! (He zvheels iozvard the doorzvay.) I'll show you 
 " Tom Cloff " within one minute, Mr. Middlebrook ! 
 
 MiDD. Er — my soul and body ! Er — where did he go? 
 
 Steele. I'll soon show you where he went ! 
 
 (Kraft and Herman ore edging forward.) 
 
 Brad. Then America is not yet beaten ! 
 Kraft. To business, Otto! The gun in the table 
 drawer ! 
 
 MiDD. Er — James! William! Are you crazy? 
 
 {Like a flash Herman leaps toward the table at R. 
 Kraft springs to get behind Steele. But Steele is 
 far too quick for them. His hands shoot up from his 
 pockets; two automatic pistols are covering the 
 startled Germans. He backs quickly away from the 
 two, toward l.) 
 
 Steele. Put up your hands, Herman! Stand away 
 from here, Kraft ! Stay where you are ! Up with both 
 hands, I told you, Herman ! If either of you goes one 
 step nearer that table, I'll load you both with six bullets 
 each ! 
 
 MiDD. What does this mean? 
 
 wSteele. These men are spies, Mr. Middlebrook ! 
 They want my life to-night, and yours! Kindly close 
 
 that door behind you, and Stand where you are, 
 
 Herman ! 
 
 (Herman has made a sudden dash toward the table. 
 Steele turns and forces him back. In this brief 
 interval, Kraft whirls about and faces Margaret. 
 He seizes her arm, and draws her between Steele's 
 gun and himself.) 
 
 Kraft. " Werk* ohne f ehler ! " Come now, young 
 woman, do your part ! 
 Marg. I'll never do it ! 
 
66 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 Steele. Stand away from there, Kraft, or I'll 
 
 Kraft. Shoot, if you want to take a chance ! {He 
 screens himself behind Margaret.) I'll give you one 
 second to hand me that flask, Miss Linden ! Take your 
 choice this instant ! Hand me the flask ! 
 
 (Steele hesitates, trying to watch both Herman and 
 Kraft. ) 
 
 Marg. Oh— take it, then ! 
 
 (She tears open her bag, hands the dark green flask to 
 Kraft, and stands silent, in great agitation.) 
 
 Kraft {raising the flask above his head with a cry of 
 triumph). Ach Himmel ! Shoot now when you like, 
 Inspector Steele ! I've got a flask full of cyanogen here, 
 
 my friend 
 
 Steele {starting violently) . Cyanogen! My 
 
 Kraft {laughing in joy). Ach, yes! Pure cyano- 
 gen gas, Mr. Steele. One breath of this, and our nation's 
 debt to you is paid! {He advances from the group.) 
 Shoot me ! It will be your last act on earth ! 
 
 {All present are stunned with horror. Steele is still 
 holding his tzvo zveapons leveled.) 
 
 Steele {awakening). Go back, Mr. Middlebrook! 
 For Heaven's sake go back ! He has cyanogen there ! 
 One whiff will kill every man in the room ! 
 
 MiDD. Oh, this is horrible ! Lucy ! 
 
 Steele. Get out of the room, Mr. Middlebrook! For 
 your life ! Take Mrs. Middlebrook ! 
 
 Kraft {holding the terrible flask poised). I'll let 
 them out ! I want not them, but you ! 
 
 Steele. Get back, then, Middlebrook, v/hile you can ! 
 Miss Linden, vou traitoress, get away before he throws 
 that flask ! Back ! Back ! 
 
 {There is a wild scramble as Middlerrook, Mrs. 
 Mtddlebrook, Eleanor, LeClair, Herman, and 
 Bradbury retreat tozvard the door. Margaret 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 67 
 
 draws hack a step or two. Steele stands alone, 
 silenily facing Krapt, with his automatic still leveled 
 at the German's breast.) 
 
 Kraft. Ach, now you'll pay! Shoot me! Kill me 
 now, if you like ! Ach, Gott ist gut — to let me die in 
 killing you! You'll pay the Fatherland for the work 
 you've done! {He takes a step forward in triumph.) 
 Inspector Steele — Auf Wiedersehen ! {There is a cry of 
 horror from Middlebrook. Kraft hurls the deadly 
 flask to the floor at Steele's feet, and leaps hack. There 
 is a crash of smashing glass, and a scream from Eleanor. 
 The green flask is shattered into fragments at the In- 
 spector's feet. But Steele, silently awaiting the end, 
 still stands with his gun directed toward the dumfounded 
 Kraft. ) Gott im Himmel ! It has failed ! Cyanogen 
 itself will not kill Inspector Steele ! 
 
 Herman {starting forward). It is impossible! 
 
 Kraft {in terror). And he still stands there, staring 
 
 me in the face! It is {He gives a violent start, 
 
 and stares at the floor.) Mein Gott im Himmel ! What 
 is that? 
 
 Herma-n {springing to his side). What is it? (Kraft 
 staggers forward, and snatches up a small red object from 
 the ruins of the flask.) It rolled out of the flask ! What 
 can it 
 
 Kraft. Mein Gott ! It is a ball of yarn ! 
 
 (Steele himself gives a start, but keeps his guns in 
 position. ) 
 
 MiDD. {dashing forzvard). But the cyanogen, you 
 traitors! Where is it? 
 
 Mrs. M. {from the doorway). Margaret! What ar^ 
 you doing? 
 
 (Margaret is slozvly advancing tozvard the table tvhere 
 Steele is standing. At arm's length she holds the 
 second of the two green flasks which she has prez'i- 
 ously exhibited. With great care she sets the flask 
 upon the table, well out of Kraft's reach. Then she. 
 turns coldly to Steele.) 
 
68 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 Marg. There is the cyanogen, Mr. Steele ! Kindly 
 take charge of it! 
 
 ( There is a startled exclamation of terror from all, and 
 a cry of rage from Kraft. But Steele, silent and 
 unmoved, still pointing his weapons at the baffled 
 spies, merely stares in horror at the deadly object 
 upon the table.) 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
ACT IV 
 
 SCENE. — The same as Act III. lo p. m. The room is 
 in darkness, and all is silent. Suddenly the living-room 
 door is softly opened, and then closed. The man zvho 
 has entered flashes a light around the room from a 
 flash-light. The door to the storage closet is seen to 
 be partly open. The man extinguishes his light and 
 tiptoes softly across the room. He closes the closet 
 door with a hang. The spring lock snaps into place. 
 Again using his flash-light, the man recrosses the room. 
 There is the sound of his quiet laughter. He turns on 
 the light from the switch. The man in the room is 
 Steele. He steps quickly to the living-room door, and 
 gives a long, loud rapping. Enter Mrs. Middlebrook, 
 in haste. 
 
 Mrs. M. Mr. Steele — that knocking! You can't mean 
 that you have — caught this man '* Tom Cloff " ! 
 
 Steele. Exactly, Mrs. Middlebrook ! I have caught 
 the man who is attempting to blow up this laboratory 
 to-night, and I intend to expose him now, before every 
 one ! Within twenty minutes he will be in the police 
 station, with Kraft and Herman ! 
 
 Mrs. M. But the explosion ! 
 
 Steele. It cannot possibly occur. The explosive 
 itself has been rendered absolutely useless. 
 
 Mrs. M. But just one minute, Mr. Steele, before I call 
 them in ! It's about — Miss Linden ! I can't understand 
 why she should ever have been carrying such stuff as that 
 cyanogen ! I've tried and tried to question her ever since, 
 but she hasn't spoken one word since the servants were 
 arrested. She acts almost as if she were afraid to speak 
 to me — as if she had done me some great injury. 
 
 Steele {nodding slowly). I couldn't understand her 
 myself, until this evening. It's quite clear now. The 
 man Kraft has known something; he has been holding 
 some secret over her, 
 
 69 
 
70 THli SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 Mrs. M. You can't mean that she has been con- 
 nected 
 
 Steele. It's been a terrible secret, Mrs. Middle- 
 brook — one that she would give her life to be able to 
 conceal. Step by step Hans Kraft has forced her to obey 
 his orders. And one by one she has carried them out — 
 to win his silence. 
 
 Mrs. M. But she tricked him at the very moment of 
 his triumph ! 
 
 Steele. Ah, yes, that's just the point. At that 
 moment she found out suddenly that the secret was not 
 worth guarding as she had tried to guard it. You can't 
 understand yet, I know. {He hesitates.) But before 
 you call them in, I — I must have one promise from you. 
 
 Mrs. M. {in surprise). Why — what can it be? 
 
 Steele {very slozvly). Merely this: I am here in the 
 Government's behalf. Whatever may happen to-night — 
 whatever* I may be forced to do here- — I hope you will 
 remember that I am doing the best thing possible for your 
 interests and America's. 
 
 Mrs. M. {in wonder). Why, of course! 
 
 {The door is opened suddenly. Enter Middlebrook. 
 He is followed by Eleanor and Margaret, zoitli 
 Le Clair.) 
 
 MiDD. Er— Mr. Steele, what is all this? This knock- 
 ing on the wall ? 
 
 Steele. It means, Mr. Middlebrook, that I am now 
 ready to arrest the man who has been plotting to blow up 
 your home ! I have caught " Tom Cloff " ! 
 
 {There is a slight start from EeClair. Delia enters 
 suddenly, with a yellow envelope.) 
 
 Delia. A special dispatch, Mr. Middlebrook — from 
 Washington. 
 
 (Middlebrook hastily tears open the envelope. He 
 gives a violent start.) 
 
 MiDD. The government agents from England and 
 France have landed in New York at ten minutes before 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 71 
 
 ten to-night. They have been in America over fifteen 
 minutes, Inspector. Er — behold, my laboratory still 
 stands unharmed ! 
 
 (Steele comes forzvard, zvith his face set in determina- 
 tion. ) 
 
 Steele. And I'll show you zvhy it is still unharmed ! 
 Kindly glance at that black box on the wall, sir! It is 
 your automatic laboratory alarm, you say. / say it was 
 an alarm yesterday, perhaps, before " Tom Cloff " him- 
 self had entered here this afternoon. It is now a deadly 
 inferno, Mr. Middlebrook, ready to blow this room to 
 atoms, had I not broken the electrical connection this 
 evening ! 
 
 MiDD. Er— Mr. Steele ! 
 
 Steele. Slowly and surely, that machine has been at 
 work this afternoon, manufacturing the explosive which, 
 as you boasted, could never be smuggled into your home — 
 loading that box, bit by bit, with the frightful chloride of 
 nitrogen ! It's diabolical ! And every particle of mate- 
 rial needed to manufacture this explosive has been within 
 easy reach in this house ! 
 
 ^IiDD. This is hideous ! 
 
 Steele. I've trapped the man who has done all this! 
 Fve sifted out every last bit of evidence against him, and 
 he shall pay the penalty ! I'm ready now to arrest that 
 man 
 
 LeClair. But where eez that man? And who eez he? 
 
 Steele. There can be no doubt as to who it is ! It's 
 the man who stole all the salt in the house, to prepare 
 chloride of nitrogen — who cleverly obtained a large 
 quantity of the other substance necessary to prepare this 
 explosive — who found a means of smuggling cyanogen 
 into the house — who baffled us all from start to finish, but 
 failed because he rates the characters of all 3^oung women 
 alike I {There is a lozu exclamation of anguish from 
 Margaret, and a gasp from Eleanor, hut Steele goes 
 on mercilessly.) It's the one whom I trapped in this 
 laboratory at eight to-night, and who then made the m.ost 
 ingenicus escape I've ever seen in tvv^enty years. It's the 
 
72 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 man with a capital " R " that is made like an " II " and 
 an " F," and two " d's " that are surely not mates ! 
 
 Mrs. M. Mr. Steele, it can't be 
 
 Steele. Mr. Middlebrook, how is chloride of nitrogen 
 prepared? Common salt — and ammonia! I'm ready to 
 arrest " Tom Cloff " ! And I'm also ready to arrest his 
 most dangerous assistant, the young woman who 
 
 (There is a startled exclamation from Margaret. 
 MiDDLEBROOK wlicels upofi her, pointing an accusing 
 finger.) 
 
 MiDD. There we have it, Lucy ! This is the result of 
 entertaining Eleanor's friends in our home ! 
 
 Marg. Oh, I'm guilty, Mr. Middlebrook! I did it 
 all — every bit of it ! I hid the cyanogen in my knitting- 
 bag ; I helped steal the salt from the pantry ; I 
 
 Delia. From where? Saint Pathrick 
 
 MiDD. You are a traitoress to America ! You are 
 false to me, and to my hospitality ! You admit that you 
 concealed the cyanogen, and that you stole the salt, 
 and — ■ — 
 
 Steele. From the pantry,' you might add for com- 
 pleteness ! You're not surprised to learn that the salt was 
 kept in the pantry? I'm sure Delia was ! 
 
 Delia. It was kept in the kitchen cupboard, Fl! swear 
 by Saint Pathrick, sir! 
 
 MiDD. Er — v^^hy — er — what does all this, mean? 
 
 Steele. I'll tell you what it means ! It will break 
 your heart to know, but silence is out of the question now. 
 It means that Miss Linden is not the guilty assistant to 
 William Von Holtzer ! She is making a last attempt to 
 take the guilt upon herself. It is true that she concealed 
 the cyanogen. She maintains that she stole the salt. 
 But kindly tell me if she was the one who obtained a 
 gallon jar of ammonia, to bathe a terrible acid burn made 
 by red ink! 
 
 Mrs. M. (starting). Eleanor! Oh, my daughter ! 
 
 (Eleanor drops into a chair without anszvering, and 
 buries her face in her hatids. Margaret hastens to 
 her side.) 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 73 
 
 Marg. I've done my best ! 
 
 Mrs. M. I can't believe this ! 
 
 Steele. I fear that you must. It was your daughter 
 who ^helped steal the government papers at the Mark- 
 mans' reception, Mrs. Middlebrook ! It was her guilty 
 secret which lay in Kraft's hands ! For two years Tve 
 been silent, for your sake ! Miss Linden has known that 
 secret, too. It was Miss Linden's aid which seemed in- 
 valuable to Kraft to-day. He threatened to lay bare 
 the secret which I had concealed so long. 
 
 M RS. M . ( slowly ) . Then — then M a rga ret 
 
 Steele. She was true to a lifelong friendship, even at 
 the cost of allying herself with German spies. She has 
 done all this for your daughter's sake. She would have 
 given her life to conceal the truth. But when she dis- 
 covered to-night that her friend was again a traitoress — 
 that she was now endeavoring to betray her own home — • 
 it was too much ! She wouldn't let Kraft throw cyanogen 
 to save our nation's enemy ! 
 
 Mrs. M. Do you mean to tell me that Eleanor ar- 
 ranged that contrivance on the wall ? 
 
 Steele. Not at all ! That was done by the mysterious 
 '' Tom Cloff " himself, believed to be the assistant of Von 
 Holtzer. (Steele suddenly holds up his hand for silence, 
 and goes on in a lower tone.) I'll tell you the truth, Mrs. 
 Middlebrook ! When I came to this room about ten 
 minutes ago, this man was again here ! I trapped him ; 
 I shut him over there in the storage closet, and let the 
 spring lock close ! (A start of terror from all.) For ten 
 minutes he has crouched a prisoner in that closet ! 
 Silence, Mr. Middlebrook ! Silence ! I intend to make 
 that man believe that we have left this laboratory. If we 
 can do that, he will at once come out from that closet, 
 and attempt to set the broken combination on that alarm 
 control — in a last attempt to destroy this laboratory! 
 {There are stifled exclamations. Steele quickly crosses 
 to the living-room door, and raises his voice. In a loud 
 tone.) We'll now call the plain-clothesmen, and take our 
 prisoner to the police station ! Mr. Middlebrook, I will 
 ask one of them to guard the outside of this place until 
 I return. That's all; you needn't wait here any longer 
 
74 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 now. {He pauses, and glances around the room. All 
 are silent. He snaps off the light, and leaves the room in 
 darkness. He slams the living-room door against the 
 zvall. In a low tone.) Now — absolute silence! Miss 
 Middlebrook, if you give the slightest warning, you'll pay 
 the full penalty ! 
 
 (There is a long silenee in the room. Sitddenly there 
 is the rattle of a key in the storage closet door.) 
 
 MiDD. (in a loud zvhisper) . He has a key ! Where 
 
 Steele. Silence! (The door of the storage closet 
 rattles again. A hinge creaks as it swings open. A ray 
 of light from a flash-light shoots across toward the living- 
 room door. The light falls upon the red fixture of the 
 alarm-box, and misses Steele. The stranger turns his 
 ligJit upon the floor in front of him, and starts forward, 
 failing to discover any of the silent watchers grouped 
 along the zvall. Step by step he advances across the 
 room, playing the light upon the red fixture as he goes. 
 At last he darts forward quickly. There is a sudden 
 rattle as he jiggles the instrument in the red box. Then, 
 a loud scream from Eleanor. Steele flashes a beam of 
 bright light upon the man.) Hands up, Cloff! Hands 
 up! (Cloff staggers back from the alarm-box. He 
 stares into the mucde of Steele's gun. It can be seen 
 that he is without his coat and mask.) There, Mr. 
 Middlebrook, is the traitor in your home ! The man 
 who's been unaccountably absent until this minute ! 
 
 MiDD. (springing forward in frenzied excitement). 
 Westerberg! Westerberg claimed he had received a 
 telegram 
 
 Steele. Hands up, Cloff! Get back, I say! (The 
 bomb-setter makes one desperate, lightning dash toward 
 the table. He snatches a gun from his pocket. There is 
 the crash of Steele's big automatic as it blazes forth. 
 The criminal's revolver clatters to the floor; his riglit 
 hand hangs helpless at his side.) Westerberg's telegram 
 was genuine, as I took the trouble to make certain ! H? 
 is innocent ! Let me present to you the chief director of 
 German spies in the United States — Herr Willirm \^on 
 Holtzer himself — alias "Tom Cloff'' — (he snaps on the 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 75 
 
 lights) and alias Detective Bradbury! {Exclamations of 
 horror from all. Steele gives them scant time to re- 
 cover.) This is the man who has been carrying on the 
 secret moves against our government! This is the man 
 Avho arranged the theft of the government papers at the 
 Markmans' reception two years ago ! He is the one who 
 has been plotting to blow up your home! He installed 
 that contrivance on the wall in place of an alarm system I 
 It was he who sent you the threatening letter signed by 
 " Tom Cloif," and who ^ 
 
 MiDD. Er — most impossible ! 
 
 Steele. Ah, not at all ! For it was he who wrote out 
 a diagram of his " alarm " system for me this evening — 
 a diagram containing the words " Left," " Middle," and 
 " Right." He is the man who writes a capital " R " like 
 an " H " and an " F," and who can't write two " d's " the 
 same way ! Fie prepared chloride of nitrogen by passing 
 chlorine gas through a solution of ammonia ! 
 
 MiDD. This is — er — why, this is preposterous! Do 
 you mean — er — Mr. Steele, do you mean to as much as 
 insinuate that my daughter has assisted 
 
 Steele. Ah, no, Mr. Middlebrook! It is farthest 
 from my intention to make any insinuations against your 
 daughter. As I told you last evening, I have but one 
 purpose, I have come with a warning — for you. A 
 warning, my dear sir, against a young lady who contrives 
 to receive a double present of candy v/hich she shows 
 little inclination to have examined. A warning against a 
 young lady who allows a certain gentleman to press her 
 injured hand for five full seconds before she remembers 
 that she must cry out in pain ! And against that same 
 young lady when she brings about the escape of De- 
 tective Bradbury, alias '' Tom Clorf," from the darkened 
 laboratory, by simply carrying from the room his cloak 
 and mask! 
 
 MiDD. But this is terrible, Mr. Steele! To — er — to 
 think of having my daughter arrested as a — er — as a spy ! 
 Why, it would be — er Oh, it would be — er 
 
 Steele. I could easily supply the proper words. If 
 Monsieur LeClair would allow me, I could tell you that 
 it would be — quite 
 
^6 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 LeClair. Quite right ! N'est-ce pas, Monsieur ! Eet 
 eez well spoken ! 
 
 Steele. I shall leave the punishment of your daugh- 
 ter entirely to you, Mr. Middlebrook. {He turns to 
 Bradbury, zvho is still standing with his arms folded.) 
 Herr Von Holtzer, I arrest you as an agent of the Ger- 
 man Secret Service, actively engaged in an attempt 
 against our nation. You've given me the hardest chase 
 of my life, Von Holtzer! But youVe overplayed your 
 paft of a private detective ! You went too far when you 
 induced a young girl to turn traitor to her own home — to 
 the people who had cared for her as a daughter since her 
 birth ! We'll pay the heads of your government for this ! 
 And vv^e'll pay them with solid shots from submarine 
 shells, Von Holtzer, till we blow every cowardly U-boat 
 out of the Atlantic — till the sea is again open to the 
 world! (To Delia.) The bell for the plain-clothesmen, 
 if you please ! 
 
 (Exit Delia. Steele motions to Bradbury to follow 
 her. He obeys. Steele walks tzuo feet behind him. 
 They leave the room. Mr, and Mrs. Middlebrook 
 hasten to Eleanor, zvho still sits in silence, zvith her 
 head bozved. Margaret turns and motions them 
 baek.) 
 
 Marg. Not now, please ! I know I can be of more 
 help to her than even you could, for a few minutes. 
 You'll leave us, I know% Monsieur LeClair. (LeClair 
 bows in silence and walks slowly from the room. Mrs. 
 Middlebrook follows, with Middlebrook endeavoring to 
 comfort her. Margaret is left alone with her friend.) 
 Eleanor, you'll believe me when I tell you tliat I've done 
 my very best to save you, v/on't you? (Eleanor nods 
 slozvly.) I've tried so hard, for you! It isn't true that 
 I deserted you because I found that you were working 
 against your father to-night. Inspector Steele is wrong 
 this time ! I never dreamed that you could be involved 
 in such a plot as this ! I 
 
 {She chokes suddenly, with a start which is more than 
 half due to fear. Steele is standing in silence in 
 the living-room doorzvay. He enters slowly.) 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 7^ 
 
 Steele. I have a little suggestion to make, Miss 
 Middlebrook, I advise you to' go to your father and 
 mother. Tell them your whole story, from start to finish ; 
 then ask them to forgive it all. They may do it. 
 
 Elea. (raising her head at last). Oh, I'd rather be 
 shot than face them now. I — I deserve to be shot, In- 
 spector. I've done all that you said. I helped him 
 smuggle in the cyanogen in candy boxes; I painted red 
 ink on my hand; I carried his disguise from the room 
 to-night — and all for Albert Bradbury ! I — I'm guilty, 
 Mr. Steele ! 
 
 Steele. Yes, Miss Middlebrook, I fear so. But 
 you've done far more than that. You've been unworthy 
 of the truest friend you'll ever have ! You may go to 
 your father. Miss Middlebrook. (Eleanor rises and 
 turns tozvard the door. Margaret takes her arm and 
 walks- with her. Steele goes to the table at l. As the 
 two reach the door, he turns quickly.) Miss Linden. 
 
 Marg. ( turning) . Yes ? 
 
 Steele. One moment, please. You may let Miss 
 Middlebrook go on alone. I'll not detain you but a 
 moment. 
 
 Marg. (returning). Very well. I'd like to go as 
 soon as possible. 
 
 Steele. Certainly, I merely wish to inform you that 
 your services in the American Red Cross are no longer 
 compulsory — that you are now at perfect liberty to with- 
 draw. (Margaret hesitates, in surprise.) 
 
 Marg. Oh, I don't want to w^ithdraw, Mr. Steele ! I 
 see now your reason for forcing me to go two years ago. 
 I realize what you did for me, when you saved me from 
 Bradbury— and I thank you! (She pauses an instant. 
 Steele is silent. ) But I don't want to give up the work 
 now. I've been over to France, and have seen the suffer- 
 ing and the horror. I must go back. I— I have found 
 liov/ you are serving the nation every day, in the face of 
 peril and opposition. I must do my small part — to help 
 America and you ! 
 
 (She goes suddenly to the chair, and- bozvs her head, 
 Steele seems quite pusded.) 
 
78 THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 Steele. It — it's very fine of you to wish to help me, 
 after our — unpleasantness. I'm sure 
 
 Marg. (rising quickly). Oh, Mr. Steele, it's of no use 
 to try to deceive you any longer. I know you overheard 
 me when I told Eleanor just now, and you'll — you won't 
 know what to think of me if I don't explain. You said 
 to-night that I tricked Kraft because I had discovered 
 that Eleanor was again a traitoress, and that I wouldn't 
 help her after that. I — that isn't true. 
 
 Steele. But I don't understand! 
 
 Marg. I'm sorry if you don't. I hope you won't mis- 
 judge me; I wasn't deceiving Eleanor. I had never 
 dreamed that she could be connected with this terrible 
 plot, until you exposed her just now. It — it was for your 
 sake that I played false to Kraft, Mr. Steele! I'd give 
 all I have in the vv^orld to have been able to save Eleanor, 
 but — I — but I couldn't kill yoit to do it ! 
 
 Steele. But you've forgotten! I — I'm your enemy, 
 you know. 
 
 Marg. But I'm not yours, Mr. Steele. You hurt my 
 pride when you made me go to France, and my pride has 
 made me treat you with every possible discourtesy. But 
 it couldn't keep me from trying to warn you here this 
 evening. (She hesitates.) Will you let me keep on 
 serving the country with you, Inspector Steele? 
 
 Steele (slowly). Miss Linden, you can never know 
 what you've done ! You've changed everything in the 
 world for me, now that you're not my enemy ! I'll go to 
 Germany now with a new feeling. Success for America 
 will be first, as always, but it won't be my only goal. I'll 
 want to live nov/, and I'll want to live more than any- 
 thing else in the world, except to help win for our nation ! 
 And I'll fight to live, as well as to win! I — I told you 
 to-night that there could never be anything in the world 
 for me, except America. I meant it, then. But 
 
 (Margaret has turned quickly, and raised her eyes to 
 meet his.) 
 
 Marg. Do you mean. Inspector Steele, that there — 
 that there could just possibly be one other— that you 
 could try to have just one ? Oh, could you try ? 
 
THE SUBMARINE SHELL 
 
 79 
 
 {There is a smile upcri the face of the great detective 
 as he turns cjuietly to her. For just an instant he 
 stands irresolute.) 
 
 Steele. You wdn, Monsieur LeClair! I — I'll try — 
 with great success ! 
 
 (^Ind Margaret comes quickly to him as the curtain 
 falls.) 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
B. Ui. Pitiero's Plays 
 
 Prk:*, 50 eente €aeb 
 
 IMID^CHANNEL J'»r in roar Acts. Six m«lM, At. f.m«lM. 
 
 THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITH 2r" ^i^",?? 
 
 males, five females. Costttmes, modern; scenery, all' interfors. 
 
 Plays a full evening. 
 
 THE PROFLIGATE f^^'^i'' Four Acts. Seren males, fire 
 ^^ttt^ t *^^* *-*^^ * *• females. Scenery, three interiors, rather 
 •laborate ; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 
 
 THE SCHOOLMISTRESS ^^^ce in Three Acts. Nine males, 
 •***^ ^^**yy*^""^****-*^^ seven females. Costumes, mod- 
 era; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 
 
 THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY |J|L'".SZ^S?i 
 
 females. Costumes, modem; scenery, three Interiors. Plays a 
 
 SWEET LAVENDER S'^medyin Three Acts. Seven males, 
 ^TTIjL.1 L.AVi:.riU£.IV four females. Scene, a single interior 
 •ostumes, modern. Plays a full eveniug. 
 
 THE THUNDERROI T <^P^^Y ^^ Four Acts. Ten males, 
 lllLi IllUl^l/£,I\OVL.l nine females. Scenery, three Interi^ 
 ors J costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 
 
 THF TIMFS Comedy in Pour Acts. Six males, seven females. 
 V « *****-k' Scene, a single interior ; costumes, modern. Playg 
 a full evening. ' 
 
 THE WFAITFR RVY comedy in Three Acts. Eight males, 
 inn fTi:.ilJ\£.i\ OCA eight females. Costumes? modern 
 •oeuery, two interiors. Plays a full evening. 
 
 A WIFE WITHOUT A SMILE ^r^lii^fJ^fLlSS: 
 
 Uostumes, modern ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full evening. 
 
 Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 
 
 Walttv ?!• Pafeer & Company 
 
 No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 016 215 217 8 ^1 
 
 fC^t William Waxnn €tittion 
 of ^la^s 
 
 AQ TflU I nrP it comedy In Fire Acts. TblrtMH malM, four 
 ma ivu i«ULi4 II females. Oostomea, pietaresque ; ■eenerjfT** 
 ffl«d. PUys ft fall ereniug. 
 
 CAMU T P I>i^<^™<^ ^n ^^^ -^ot"* ^^« m&lei. flT« femalea. Oo»> 
 VAIIIU4I4V tomes, modem ; scenery, varied. Plays a full erenlng. 
 
 INfiAMAV ^^7 ^° ^^^ -^^^^B- Thirteen males, three females. 
 UlUVmAA Scenery varied ; eostomes, Greek. Plays a full evening. 
 
 MADT ^TTABT Tragedy in nve Acts. Thirteen males, four fe- 
 mAHl t^tuant males, and supernumeraries. Costumes, of the 
 p«riod ; scenery, varied and elaborate. Plays a full evening. 
 
 TBB MERCBANT OF VENICE S3itJlh?.!£to^J2: SSrSJT. 
 
 picturesque ; scenery varied. Plays a full evening. 
 
 DirHFT IPn PlAy 111 ^▼c Acts. Fifteen males, two females. Been- 
 mvULfMLU ery elaborate ; costumes of the period. Plays a full 
 evening. 
 
 ™DIVAIC Comedy In Five Acts. Nine males, Ave females. 
 AITA1<J Scenery varied; costumes of the period. Plays a 
 full evening, 
 
 SUB STOOPS TO COHQOEI S3S*C ,Sa7,.l"SJ5?r 
 
 lied i oostumee of the period. Plays a full evening. 
 
 TWaPTB NI6HT; OK, WBAT YOD WILL SSS'^n'^mSi! 
 
 three females. Ooskomes, picturesque ; scenery, varied. Plays a 
 full evening. 
 
 . Sent prepaid on receipt of price bj 
 
 W&lttt f^. T5B&tv & Compatif 
 
 Vo. 5 Hamilton Place, Boatoiiy ICastachnsetta 
 
 a. J. rAMKHILL m CO.. PNINTBIIS. BOaTON. U.S.A.